Suspected bandits launched a deadly attack on the Sabuwar Unguwa community in the Kofar Kaura area of Katsina State in the early hours of Tuesday, abducting a man and his family and killing a vigilante member who attempted to intervene.
The incident occurred around 3:00 a.m., sending shockwaves through the community. The attackers abducted a resident, Malam Anas, along with his wife and daughter, from their home located behind the Gidan Rodi Steel Rolling Company.
Eyewitnesses described the attack as chaotic, with gunmen wielding sophisticated weapons. In the commotion, a local vigilante, 25-year-old Abdullahi Muhammad, was fatally shot while trying to thwart the abduction.
Some residents said they had noticed two suspicious individuals loitering in the area in the days leading up to the attack. They urged authorities to intensify surveillance and security presence, citing a growing wave of banditry across Katsina State.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, identified the kidnapped victim as Anas Ahmadu, 33, of Filin Canada Quarters. He confirmed that the attackers killed a vigilante member before fleeing with the hostages.
Sadiq stated that police officers, led by the Divisional Police Officer, responded swiftly to restore calm and have launched a full-scale investigation to apprehend the perpetrators.
He added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Bello Shehu, along with senior command officials — including the Area Commander (Metro), Divisional Police Officers, and the Officer in Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit — visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment.
According to Sadiq, additional security personnel and resources have been deployed to aid in the rescue of the abducted family and ensure the arrest of those responsible.
“The command urges members of the public to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or via the command’s emergency lines. All information will be handled with utmost confidentiality,” he said.
