The Katsina State Government wishes to bring to the attention of the general public the details of a two-part security incident that occurred in Kankia Local Government Area of Katsina State, and to commensurate with the families of the victims and commend the swift and decisive response of the security forces.
This was contained in a statement signed by Dr. Nasir Mu’azu ,Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs Katsina state issued to newsmen.
It said on 02 May 2026, an intelligence report reached the state security agencies that a notorious bandit kingpin, one Mohammadu fulani, had led a group of armed bandits towards certain bridges within Kankia Local Government Area with clear criminal intent. Upon receipt of this information, the community immediately alerted the relevant security agencies. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Kankia Police Division promptly organised and personally led a joint security team to intercept the bandits.
The operation was successful. The security forces engaged the bandits, neutralised several of them, and recovered eight motorcycles as well as a number of rustled cattle. The recovered motorcycles are currently in the custody of the Kankia Police Division. This was a significant victory for law and order.
Regrettably, the same Mohammadu Fulani apparently in retaliation for the losses his gang and eight motorcycles he suffered at the hands of the security forces, led another group of bandits later around 12 o’clock in the afternoon and launched a vicious attack on Gwalgoro Village in Gyaza/Kunduru Ward, Kankia Local Government Area. In that cowardly assault, eleven innocent lives were tragically lost.
The Commissioner said the state government condemned this attack in the strongest possible terms. The deliberate targeting of innocent civilians is an act of terror that we will not tolerate, and we extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families of the victims.
The State Government, under Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, wishes to call on the people to remain resolute. We wish to thank our security personnel for their courage, speed, and professionalism in responding to any threat.
The statement also urged communities to continue sharing timely information with security agencies. That intelligence partnership is what made the first interception possible — and it will continue to save lives.