A recent surge in banditry across Katsina State has compelled residents and travellers to abandon key road networks, sparking fears that previously established local peace pacts may have failed.
Investigations reveal a marked increase in bandit assaults, kidnappings, cattle rustling, and displacements in areas ranging from Dandume to villages along the Danmusa and Kankara–Funtua routes. These communities had previously experienced a period of relative calm.
The escalating violence, often carried out by armed groups on motorcycles during both day and night raids, is undoing the brief respite enjoyed in regions long beleaguered by criminal activity.
This worsening security situation has not only heightened general insecurity but has also severely disrupted travel. Numerous roads are now deemed too perilous for passage, posing significant risks to motorists.
In response to the heightened danger, drivers are actively steering clear of major highways that connect Katsina to neighbouring states like Kaduna, Zamfara, and Sokoto. Many are now choosing circuitous and costlier alternative routes to ensure their safety.
A commercial driver, Aminu Babangida, stated that he has ceased using the Katsina to Jibia road for journeys to Zamfara State following the recent upsurge in attacks, even after the peace accord. He now opts for a significantly longer detour via Funtua, adding approximately 250 kilometres to his trips.
Babangida expressed, “With the renewed assaults, travelling has become extremely precarious, as one can never anticipate when or where they might strike. Although it’s challenging, we have no alternative but to take these longer routes, which are more expensive, especially considering the current fuel costs.”
Similarly, travellers journeying between Katsina and Funtua are avoiding the primary routes that pass through Dutsinma to Kankara and Matazu to Musawa. They are now predominantly utilizing the Gidan Mutum Daya route, which has also become a cause for concern recently.
Malam Mustapha Shu’aibu, another commercial driver, recounted an incident two days prior where travellers received warnings to exercise extreme caution on the Gidan Mutumi Daya road after bandits were reportedly sighted in the vicinity.
He elaborated, “I had to postpone my trip after we received reports that the road was unsafe, as a group of bandits on motorcycles had been seen along the Gidan Mutumi Daya–Funtua route. We waited for about an hour before receiving confirmation that they had moved on. We hadn't experienced this for months, but I fear it might be returning.”
Certain roads, including the Jibia–Kauran Namoda stretch and segments of the Kankara area, are now widely considered hazardous, restricting both movement and economic activities in the affected vicinities.
The current situation has significantly impacted local economies. Increased transportation expenses, disruptions to trade routes, and pervasive fear of attacks have compelled many traders to reduce their operations or cease business activities altogether in the affected regions.
Isa Usman Dagi, a textile trader, explained that his business requires him to travel to various markets to showcase his merchandise. However, he has now limited his movements to safer zones, a decision that has substantially reduced his income.
“I used to spend days travelling from one market to another, generating good sales, but I've had to confine my movements to safer areas, and that has negatively affected my business,” he stated.
Farmers are also among the hardest-hit demographics. Many who had resumed farming operations during the period of relative peace are now being forced to retreat, raising concerns about food production and agricultural livelihoods.
A farmer from Kankara shared that he cultivated his land without incident during the last rainy season and had invested considerably to expand his farming this year. However, the recent wave of attacks has disrupted his plans, leaving him in a state of uncertainty.
Recent events have underscored the precarious nature of the existing peace initiatives. In Sayaya village, within the Matazu Local Government Area, bandits allegedly attacked a police station, resulting in the death of an officer. They also reportedly looted a primary healthcare centre and stole goods from local shops.
Such assaults have fuelled questions regarding the efficacy of informal peace agreements previously negotiated between certain communities and armed factions.
While these accords, which often involved negotiations and concessions, provided temporary relief in some areas over the past year, security sources indicate that many bandit groups either did not participate or subsequently violated the terms of the agreements.
For a considerable number of residents, the resurgence of violence has dashed hopes for enduring peace. Some residents describe a recurring pattern of retaliatory attacks and a growing atmosphere of mistrust.
Malam Lawal Yakubu, a resident of Matazu, recounted an instance where bandits rustled cattle from one locality and returned days later to launch another raid, suggesting a persistent cycle of violence.
“I am apprehensive that these recent occurrences have left communities caught between armed groups and fragile agreements that no longer offer any guarantee of safety,” he remarked.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Katsina State has voiced its alarm over the deteriorating security situation, characterising the renewed attacks as alarming and unacceptable.
The party’s state chairman, Lawal Tukur-Batagarawa, asserted that the resurgence of violence, particularly in Matazu and Musawa, highlights the inadequacies of current security strategies and the vulnerability of rural populations.
In response to the escalating crisis, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda convened an urgent Security Council meeting at the Government House in Katsina. The meeting convened security agency heads, local government chairmen, and key stakeholders to evaluate the situation and formulate immediate action plans.
While the specifics of the discussions remain undisclosed, the governor’s action signals a growing concern at the highest governmental levels.
Security analysts suggest that the current scenario reflects a familiar pattern: a temporary lull in violence, achieved through negotiations or military action, is frequently followed by a resurgence of attacks once these measures lose traction.
Ahmad Muhammad Gaya, a security analyst based in Kano, cautioned that without robust enforcement and sustained strategies, peace agreements could inadvertently empower armed groups rather than pacify them.
He emphasised the necessity of a comprehensive strategy that integrates military operations, intelligence gathering, community engagement, and long- term socio-economic development initiatives.
As the attacks continue and roads remain largely deserted, many residents fear that the peace agreements that once offered a glimmer of hope may have completely collapsed.
For the present, apprehension has returned to many parts of Katsina State, accompanied by increasing uncertainty about the future.
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