Amnesty International has condemned continued attacks by armed bandits in Katsina State, warning that recent violence underscores the failure of existing security measures, including a controversial peace arrangement with suspected criminal elements.
The organisation cited a recent attack on Sayaya village in Matazu Local Government Area, where gunmen reportedly stormed the community in large numbers, setting vehicles, motorcycles, and homes ablaze. Witnesses said the assailants moved from house to house, destroying property and leaving the village in ruins.
According to local accounts referenced by Amnesty International, the attackers—numbering over 100 and travelling on motorcycles—were heavily armed. By the time they withdrew, much of the village had been reduced to ashes.
Amnesty International expressed concern that rural communities across Katsina State remain under persistent threat, with residents living in fear of frequent attacks, killings, and abductions, particularly targeting women and girls.
The group also criticised the Katsina State Government’s handling of the crisis, pointing to a decision in January to release 70 suspected bandits as part of what authorities described as a “peace deal.” The organisation questioned the effectiveness of the initiative, noting that violence has continued unabated.
Data cited by Amnesty International indicates that between 2021 and 2025, at least 1,591 people have been killed in bandit-related incidents in the state.
Survivors of recent attacks told the organisation that security personnel were often absent during the assaults, allegedly arriving hours or even a day after the attackers had fled.
Amnesty International called on authorities to reassess current strategies, strengthen security presence in vulnerable communities, and ensure accountability for perpetrators, while providing protection and support for affected populations.
