Is The Bandits Attack Escalating In Zamfara And Katsina?

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a call for President Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Katsina and Zamfara states, citing a wave of violent attacks in the region that have claimed dozens of lives in recent weeks. 

The party references specific incidents, including a massacre in Malumfashi, Katsina, where around 30 worshippers were killed in a mosque, and 20 villagers were burned in their homes. 

In Zamfara, recent attacks reportedly killed 24 people, injured 16, and led to 144 kidnappings across multiple local government areas.

Additionally, major attacks in July 2025 included a raid in Zamfara’s Jengebe village, where over 100 farmers were reportedly abducted and nine killed. In another Zamfara community, Banga village, roughly 56 people were abducted, and 38 were killed despite ransom payments. A mosque attack in Katsina in August 2025 resulted in at least 50 deaths, prompting military and police deployment in the aftermath.

These recent high-casualty events and frequent kidnappings strongly suggest that the banditry threat is indeed escalating in both Zamfara and Katsina.

Why Is This Happening?

Several factors may be contributing to the intensification of banditry in Zamfara and Katsina. These include:

Proliferation of armed camps and criminal networks: Bandits maintain camps in forests and rural enclaves, often spanning Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, and other neighbouring states, facilitating cross-border raids and kidnappings.

Resource competition and weak security presence: Many rural communities are under-protected, with long stretches of road and villages vulnerable to attacks and kidnappings.

Ransom-driven incentives: In cases such as Banga village, ransom demands are substantial, and even when paid, may not guarantee safe release, leading to mass executions as a demonstration of power or intimidation.

Statistics Since January 2025 to Date

While comprehensive official aggregations are limited, multiple reported incidents allow for a partial reconstruction of the scale and trend:

January 2025: 80 bandits neutralised in a joint security operation in Katsina, targeting multiple bandit camps, a blow to the operational capacity of bandit groups in Jibia and neighbouring local councils.

February 2025: In Katsina, a bandit attack in Kurya Madaro community resulted in five killed, several injured, and livestock rustled.

In Zamfara, an attack led to one death, one injury, and four abducted, with cattle theft also reported.

March 2025: A series of attacks across Zamfara — including in Talata-Mafara, Bukkuyum, Kaura-Namoda LGAs, resulted in multiple fatalities, displacement, Property destruction, and cattle rustling. Some security operatives and civilians were killed in clashes with bandits.

June 2025: Reports of seven villages razed near Gusau (Zamfara capital), and roads in Katsina shut down after bandit attacks, including abductions and shootings along major routes.

July 2025:

Jengebe village (Zamfara): Over 100 farmers abducted, nine killed during a weekend raid.

Banga village (Zamfara): 56 abducted, with 38 killed, despite ransom payment.

 August 2025: 

Unguwan Mantau, Katsina State: Bandit attack on a mosque and surrounding villages, with at least 50 killed.

Is the ADC Doing This for Politics?

The ADC’s call for a state of emergency, and its harsh criticism of the federal government and other political actors, has drawn responses and accusations of politicising insecurity. ADC has accused both the ruling APC and PDP of prioritising power and politics over citizen welfare, and has lambasted a PDP governors’ meeting held in Zamfara shortly after attacks, deeming it insensitive and politically opportunistic.

In response, the PDP Governors’ Forum has defended its meeting, stating that it was scheduled, and accused the ADC of exploiting human tragedy for political capital, labeling their criticism as irresponsible. They contend that security reform and deliberation were among the deliberation topics, and that empathy for victims should be demonstrated by visits to affected areas rather than public statements.

The escalating violence in Katsina and Zamfara underscores the urgent need for decisive action to restore security and protect vulnerable communities. The ADC’s call for a state of emergency has drawn mixed reactions, but the recurring massacres, kidnappings, and destruction highlight a crisis that extends beyond partisan interests. 

Calls for emergency measures, enhanced security operations, and community-centered strategies reflect the mounting pressure on both federal and state governments to demonstrate effective leadership. 

Finally, the lives and safety of citizens must remain the priority.