Bloody Weekend Across Nigeria Claims Over 100 Lives As Bandits And Insurgents Unleash Deadly Attacks On Communities

 

Nigeria has once again been plunged into grief after a wave of violent incidents claimed at least 102 lives across four states, leaving families in mourning and communities shaken. The tragic events unfolded across Katsina, Sokoto, Borno and Edo, marking one of the deadliest weekends in recent months. Victims included soldiers, civilians, volunteer security agents, and suspected bandits.

Katsina Attack: Bandits Ambush Community Watch Corps

Residents of Magajin Wando village in Katsina State were left reeling after armed bandits stormed the community late on Friday night. According to officials from the Katsina State Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, the bandits struck between 11 p.m. and midnight, killing seven villagers in the process.

Community Watch Corps (CWC) members, a volunteer security outfit tasked with safeguarding rural settlements, initially repelled the attackers in a fierce gun battle. Several suspected bandits were reportedly killed in that first confrontation. However, while CWC members were evacuating injured residents to hospital, the assailants returned in what appeared to be a revenge strike.

The second assault was devastating. An ambush was staged against the CWC vehicle, riddling it with bullets before setting it ablaze. Although the corps members managed to escape without injury, the incident underscored the risks faced by volunteer forces who often confront heavily armed criminals with limited resources.

Authorities in Katsina praised the bravery of the CWC, noting that their swift action likely prevented the loss of more lives. The state government also promised closer coordination with the Nigerian Army and police to track down the perpetrators and dismantle criminal camps across the northwestern state.

Sokoto Communities Fight Back

While Katsina mourned, two villages in Sokoto State chose to resist. Shagari and Bimasa, located in Tureta Local Government Area, mounted a coordinated counteroffensive against marauding bandits who had terrorized their communities. Reports indicate that villagers armed themselves and engaged in a protracted shootout with dozens of armed men, resulting in the death of 15 suspected bandits.

The daring move also led to the rescue of kidnapped victims held in nearby forests. Eyewitnesses recounted how frightened captives were freed as the villagers pressed forward in their assault, forcing the criminals into retreat. Abandoned cattle, stolen in previous raids, were also recovered.

Local leaders celebrated the action as a sign of resilience and unity. A youth leader from Shagari voiced the community’s determination by declaring that residents would never again allow bandits to control their lives. Still, calls have been made for the Sokoto State Government and federal security agencies to reinforce protection, fearing possible reprisal attacks.

Borno Suffers Heavy Casualties In Boko Haram Attack

Farther east, tragedy struck Darajamal, a resettled community near Bama in Borno State, where Boko Haram insurgents launched a brutal attack. The violence left 63 people dead, including five soldiers and nearly 60 civilians, many of them internally displaced persons who had only recently returned to rebuild their lives.

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum visited the devastated community the following day to offer condolences. Standing among grieving families, he condemned the attack as a cruel assault on innocent people striving for normalcy. “This is very sad,” he said, lamenting that those who had survived earlier violence were once again victims of terror.

The governor confirmed the casualty figures and called for the rapid deployment of newly trained Forest Guards to support overstretched military units. He emphasized that Nigeria’s military alone cannot provide adequate coverage for every vulnerable community, stressing the urgent need to complement their efforts with local security initiatives.

Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, representing Borno Central, echoed the governor’s sentiments. He described the killings as a crime against humanity and pledged to pursue legislative action aimed at strengthening peace and security across the state. Meanwhile, reports suggest that several residents remain missing, fueling fears of abductions.

A Nation Still Searching For Answers

The weekend’s coordinated violence illustrates the severe challenges Nigeria faces in addressing insecurity on multiple fronts. Banditry and kidnapping continue to dominate the northwest, while insurgency and terrorism persist in the northeast. Communities often find themselves caught between grief and resistance, relying on both volunteer security groups and collective courage to survive.

Despite commendable efforts by state authorities, security analysts warn that without comprehensive reforms and broader deployment of resources, these tragedies may continue to unfold. For the bereaved families of Katsina, Sokoto and Borno, the past weekend will remain etched in memory as a painful reminder of the human cost of insecurity.