The influx of bandits has heightened fears of escalating violence among local communities in Katsina State.

Naija News learnt that the bandits were displaced by intensified military operations in Zamfara State, seek refuge in its forests.

Heavily armed bandits riding motorcycles and carrying belongings, are reportedly entering Katsina through forested routes such as Gurbi, Hakai, Zango, Powa, and Matalawa.

Following military air raids in the Kankara axis, the bandits reportedly retaliated by attacking and setting fire to settlements, including Gidan Boka, Gidan Dankunda, and Gidan Namone.

The attacks were said to have left innocent civilians in dire conditions, with lives lost, homes destroyed, and survivors living in fear.

The violence has also forced children to abandon their education, while the psychological toll on residents is severe, with many suffering from anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

A resident of one of the communities who spoke with Vanguard said, “The bandits have taken everything from us. They’ve killed our loved ones, stolen our livestock, and burned down our homes. We live in constant fear, unsure of when they’ll strike next.”

Confirmed the influx of bandits, a government representative in Kankara Local Government Area (LGA), said the next move of the bandits remains uncertain, leaving residents in a constant state of fear.

The government official said, “Yes, it’s true. The bandits keep pouring into our forests daily. For now, they mainly operate on highways, as they are unfamiliar with the local terrain. In response, the government has established checkpoints and surveillance points along the highways to mitigate their threat.” 

Meanwhile, a security expert from the Northwest region, Dr. Yahuza Getso, has warned that the situation is a ticking time bomb that could explode if not urgently addressed.