KATSINA, Nigeria — Suspected bandits attacked three villages in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State on Sunday, January 18, 2026, killing eight people and injuring three others, residents and police officials said.
The attacks struck Shau, Ruwan Godiya and Liggel villages, according to residents. Four people were killed in Shau, including an imam and his deputy, residents said.
Two people were reported killed in Ruwan Godiya, while two others were killed in Liggel.
A resident of the area said the attackers arrived heavily armed and claimed the weapons were unfamiliar in the community.
“These gunmen are coming with dangerous weapons, the types of guns that one has never seen before,” the resident said.
He added that residents from neighbouring communities attempted to reach Liggel to assist but were unable to enter the village.
“At Liggel village there was some attempts by neighbouring communities to render some help but the village was surrounded by the gunmen such that no one will be able to get into the village from all angles,” he said.
Residents said attacks had become frequent in the area. One resident alleged that gunmen had been terrorising communities regularly and that they sometimes announced the next village they intended to attack.
Another resident said that, within the last week, gunmen had killed four people in Yankara village and five in Yan Tuwaru village, where residents said houses and motorcycles were also burned. The resident added that cattle were rustled in Kamfani village.
Residents appealed to governments at all levels for assistance and also called for prayers to end the violence, they said.
The Katsina State police spokesman, SP Isah Gambo, confirmed the attack.
“Yesterday, gunmen who were carrying dangerous weapons have stormed Ruwan Godiya village and eight persons were killed while three others injured,” Mr. Gambo said.
He said police officers transported the injured to a hospital for treatment after arriving at the scene, but that the attackers had already fled.
Mr. Gambo called for more security resources for the state, including additional personnel, armoured vehicles and drones, to curb further attacks.
