Ogona Anita
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the assailants, believed to have crossed into Kano fromc neighbouring Katsina State, reportedly killed several people and carted away livestock and farming equipment, leaving the community in panic.
Communities along the Katsina–Kano border, including Faruruwa, Kuraku, Goron-Dutse, Tsaure, and Yan-Shado, have suffered repeated attacks in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, villagers say the gunmen often infiltrate their areas through bush paths, looting and kidnapping residents with little resistance.
Farmers and community leaders lamented that the rising wave of insecurity has crippled farming and business activities, forcing many residents to flee their homes.
Appealing for urgent government intervention, the Chairman of the Faruruwa and Neighbourhood Security Committee, Yahaya Bagobiri, told journalists that the few security personnel deployed to the area are overwhelmed by the scale of the attacks.
“We have been facing serious security challenges since 2022. Bandits from Katsina and neighbouring states invade our communities almost daily. That is why we are calling on the government to come to our aid,” Bagobiri said.
He disclosed that the attacks have claimed several lives and displaced hundreds of residents, while more than 1,600 cows, numerous motorcycles, and farming machines have been stolen.
“Just two days ago, they invaded our area with about 50 motorcycles, each carrying three persons, roughly 150 attackers. They killed people and stole livestock,” he recounted.
Bagobiri described the number of security operatives in the area as “grossly inadequate,” noting that the Joint Task Force (JTF) stationed there has fewer than 15 personnel to cover the entire volatile region.
Residents have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to urgently strengthen security presence in Shanono and other border communities to prevent further bloodshed and displacement.
“How can 10 or 15 security operatives confront over 150 armed men?” Bagobiri said.
He explained that both the Kano State Commissioner of Police and a senior Army Commander had recently visited the area to assess the situation. However, he noted that the attacks have persisted despite those visits.
He said that some victims have been forced to pay huge ransoms to free kidnapped relatives.
“One of our residents, Alhaji Haruna Gatali, paid N15 million to secure the release of his wife,” Bagobiri lamented.
“We sincerely hope the authorities will act quickly to restore peace and security to our communities.”
