Hoodlums have attacked four villages in Kankia Local Council of Katsina State, killing, injuring, and abducting several residents.

The incident was captured in a post yesterday shared on X by security analyst, Bakatsine.

According to the post, the bandits launched coordinated attacks on Yallaya, Gadar Dan Zarrah, Kwandawa, and Jibo villages on Tuesday night.

Residents said the assailants stormed the communities, shooting sporadically and forcing villagers to flee into nearby bushes.

“Yesterday (Tuesday) night, bandits stormed Yallaya, Gadar Dan Zarrah, Kwandawa and Jibo villages in Kankia LGA, Katsina State, killing, injuring, and abducting residents,” Bakatsine wrote.

Locals blamed the renewed attacks on recent peace agreements between bandits and neighbouring council areas, saying such deals often embolden the attackers.

Authorities in Katsina were yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident at press time.

The development came as troops of the 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) recorded a major breakthrough in the ongoing “Operation Lafiya Nakowa” launched to flush out terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements from Taraba State.

According to a statement issued yesterday in Jalingo by Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Lt. Umar Muhammad, the operation took place on October 14, 2025, when troops deployed at Tapga Ngasawa village under Dampar District of Ibi council area launched a clearance offensive on suspected terrorist hideouts in Badekoshi, Fajul, Kurmi, and Dampar villages.

The troops reportedly engaged the terrorists at Badekoshi village, forcing them to retreat towards Fajul near the forest.

“The soldiers pursued the fleeing suspects with superior firepower, dislodging them from their positions,” the statement read.

A subsequent search of the area, according to the military, led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine, one round of 7.62mm special ammunition, five rounds of blank ammunition, two jackets, two camouflages, and one Jincheng motorcycle believed to have been stolen during an earlier attack on Tapga village.

Commander, 6 Brigade/Sector 3 OPWS, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, commended the troops for their professionalism and resilience.

He urged them to sustain the tempo until all criminal elements are rooted out of the state. (The Guardian)