Residents of several communities in Southern Maska, Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina State, have raised fresh concerns over worsening insecurity, despite reported peace agreements between local stakeholders and armed bandit groups.
The concerns were highlighted in a post on X on Saturday by Bakatsine, a journalist who covers conflict and insecurity in Nigeria’s northwest.
According to the report, residents continue to face attacks, threats and demands for levies, creating widespread fear and disrupting daily life across the area.
Communities affected include Unguwar Mailaya, Asharaha, Burma, Gobirawa, Gwangwari, Dan Tudu, Tudun Maje, Kurku, Ganwai, Yar Tasha, Gursudu, Batarawa, Gidan Alhaji Koshe, Dan Kunsai, Hayin Gishiri, Unguwar Dini, Gidan Soda and Yambu, among others.
Local sources said the villages have experienced repeated incidents of killings, kidnappings and theft of property in recent weeks.
Residents reported that gunmen recently attempted to attack Unguwar Mailaya but were repelled by locals. The attackers were said to have later moved to Kauran Fawa in neighbouring Dandume Local Government Area, where at least eight people were reportedly killed.
Community members also alleged that bandits now contact villagers directly by phone to issue threats or demand payments known locally as “haraji,” a development they linked to inadequate security presence in the area.
Residents have called on the Katsina State Government and security agencies to urgently deploy personnel to protect lives and property and to intensify efforts to restore lasting peace.
The renewed violence has raised questions about the effectiveness and credibility of the peace agreements reportedly reached between Funtua LGA stakeholders and bandit groups, as attacks continue across the affected communities.
