In a tragic incident in Nigeria’s northwestern Katsina state, at least seven people were killed and around 100 others were kidnapped when gunmen attacked the rural community of Maidabino on Saturday night. The attack, which is the latest in a series of violent incidents in northern Nigeria, has left residents in fear and mourning.
State police spokesperson Abubakar Aliyu Sadiq confirmed the deaths and stated that the police are investigating the incident, but he did not comment on the number of missing persons. Local residents, however, reported a significant number of abductions. Muhammad Sani, a resident of Maidabino, expressed the community’s anxiety as they await news about their kidnapped family members.
The attackers, who arrived on motorbikes, opened fire indiscriminately, forcing many villagers to flee. Hassan Aliyu, another resident, recounted that the attack was unexpected and resulted in the abduction of dozens of women and children. He also mentioned that two children were burned to death and properties were extensively damaged during the six-hour raid.
Auwalu Ismail, whose wife was among the abducted, described how the gunmen blocked all access roads to the village before launching their attack. They destroyed shops, vehicles, and stole livestock in addition to taking hostages.
This attack is part of a disturbing trend in Nigeria’s northwest and central regions, where armed groups frequently kidnap villagers and travelers to demand large ransoms. Such incidents have been escalating in recent years. In March, gunmen kidnapped numerous pupils from a school in Kaduna state, and last year, over 80 students were abducted from a school in Kebbi state.
The ongoing insecurity in these regions highlights the urgent need for effective measures to protect residents and address the underlying issues fueling these violent acts.