At least 13 people were killed on Tuesday when bandits attacked Doma community in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, according to police, though residents say the death toll may be higher.
The assailants stormed Doma town, located in Tafoki district, around midday and remained active for several hours, witnesses told The Telegraph. Residents said the heavily armed bandits moved freely within the community between about 12 p.m. and 2 p.m., shooting sporadically, assaulting locals, and setting houses and shops ablaze.
“They were in town from around noon until after the Azahar prayer. They terrorised the community,” a resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said.
Another local reported, “We have gathered 19 bodies so far for funeral prayers. The victims include men and women. Several others who were severely beaten later died from their injuries.”
In contrast, the police spokesperson, Abubakar Aliyu, said 13 people were killed in the attack. “On February 3, 2026, at about 1400 hours, a distress call was received that some suspected bandits, armed with dangerous weapons and shooting sporadically, attacked Doma village, Faskari Local Government Area,” he stated.
Aliyu added that security operatives, including the military and members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps, were mobilised, but the attackers fled before their arrival.
Faskari Local Government Chairman, Surajo Aliyu Daudawa, described the raid as a reprisal attack. He told reporters the gunmen killed about 20 people and destroyed property, including homes and a vehicle.
“It’s unfortunate because for the past five months, we have not witnessed this kind of incident,” Mr. Daudawa said. “The bandits came, killed people, burnt houses and a vehicle. There were no security personnel in the community at the time of the invasion.”
He added that the victims’ bodies had been moved to Tafoki community for burial and expressed condolences to the affected families.
The attack occurred after months of relative calm in parts of Faskari LGA, which residents attributed to negotiations between authorities and local armed groups. However, communities in Katsina South senatorial district have repeatedly faced raids, killings, and kidnappings in recent years.
Police confirmed that investigations have begun to identify and apprehend the perpetrators, adding that normalcy has been restored to the community.
