In a devastating breach of a months-long period of relative calm, armed bandits launched a brutal daylight assault on the Doma community in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. The attack, which began around 2:00 PM and lasted for several hours, has left at least 13 people dead, according to official police reports, though local eyewitnesses and some sources suggest the death toll could be as high as 20 to 25.
The assailants, reportedly armed with AK-47 rifles and other dangerous weapons, invaded the community and opened fire sporadically on residents. Beyond the loss of life, the attackers set fire to numerous houses, grain silos, shops, and vehicles, rendering many families homeless and destroying vital food supplies.
The Chairman of Faskari Local Government Council, Alhaji Surajo Aliyu-Daudawa, described the incident as a suspected reprisal attack. He noted that the tragedy is particularly disheartening as it represents the most significant act of violence in the area in over five months, shattering a fragile peace agreement between the local community and armed groups. “The situation is indeed very unfortunate,” Daudawa stated, confirming that funeral rites for the victims are being conducted in Tafoki town.
The Katsina State Police Command, through its spokesperson DSP Abubakar Sadiq, confirmed that 13 fatalities were recorded. Upon receiving a distress call, a joint team of police operatives, the military, and the Katsina State Community Watch Corps (KSCWC) was mobilized to the scene. However, the gunmen had already fled into the surrounding forests before the security forces arrived.
The Commissioner of Police, Bello Shehu, has strongly condemned the “dastardly act” and ordered the immediate deployment of additional resources to hunt down the perpetrators. This latest wave of violence comes at a time of heightened security discussions in Nigeria, as the federal government continues to navigate complex counter-terrorism partnerships to secure the North West region.
This resurgence of arson and mass killing in Katsina serves as a grim reminder of the persistent security challenges facing rural communities despite ongoing government intervention and local peace initiatives.
