Bandits, armed herders kill 18 in Katsina, Benue

No fewer than 11 persons were reportedly killed in a renewed bandit attack on Gurbi Village in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State on Sunday afternoon.

Also, about seven people were reported to have been killed by suspected armed herders at Channel One community, a border settlement in Ukemberagya/Tswarev Council Ward in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The development followed a renewed wave of attack across the country by bandits and armed herders.

Confirming the Katsina incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, in a statement made available to journalists on Monday, said the attackers’ assault on the village at about 2:40 pm on Sunday also left two persons injured.

According to the statement, “The Katsina State Police Command regrets to inform the public of a bandits’ attack on Gurbi Village, Kankara LGA, Katsina State, which occurred at about 2:40pm on April 26th, 2026.

“Suspected armed bandits attacked the village and fatally shot 11 persons, while two others sustained varying degrees of injury before the arrival of security agencies.

“On receipt of the distress call, a joint security team comprising the police, military, and other sister security agencies, led by the DPO, promptly mobilised to the scene.

The assailants fled on sighting the advancing security forces.

“Normalcy has since been restored to the area. The injured victims were evacuated to a nearby hospital for medical attention, while the bodies of the deceased have been released to their families for burial in line with Islamic rites.

“The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, CP Ali Umar Fage, has deployed additional tactical teams to the area to forestall further attacks. He has also directed the Divisional Police Officer and Area Commander to intensify intelligence-led patrols and ensure robust synergy with sister security agencies and community stakeholders.

“The command commiserates with the families of the deceased and assures the public that efforts are in top gear to track, apprehend, and prosecute the perpetrators of this heinous act.”

The Benue attack, according to a resident who simply identified himself as Amos, happened on Sunday night at Ukemberagya/Tswarev council ward, located along Arufu-Wukari road, Taraba State.

According to Amos, the suspected herders invaded the community at about 11 pm on Sunday and shot sporadically, causing residents to scamper for safety.

A community leader in the area, Joseph Anawah, corroborated the report, stating that six people were killed.

Anawah said that six people, namely, Akor Gwakyaa, Msooter Gwakyaa, Aondoungwa Michael, Vershima Michael, Terna Michael and Msughter Terzungwe, were killed during the invasion.

“It is also confirmed that some people whose names are not immediately mentioned sustained life-threatening injuries and have been admitted to different medical facilities in Anyiin town.

“Those in critical health condition, numbering about seven, have been taken to Ugba town, Logo LGA, for medical treatment,” he said.

The community leader said the armed herders came in large numbers, armed with firearms, and were on motorcycles.

Anawah said residents of the area and neighbouring communities had relocated to other villages for fear of further attacks.

The Chairman of Logo LGA, Clement Kav, who spoke to journalists on the phone on Monday, said seven people were killed by armed herders during the Sunday night attack.

“They killed seven people and injured four others. What they did was that they came, attacked and ran back to where they came from.

“They carried out the attack late Sunday night,” the chairman said.

He also said that he had briefed the Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Homeland Security on the incident.

The spokesperson of the state police command, DSP Udeme Edet, said she had yet to receive the report and promised to get back to our correspondent as soon as she had it.

The PPRO was, however, yet to get back as of the time of filling this report.

Killings of innocent people by suspected armed herders and local bandits seem to have been intensified in the past few days across the state.

Last Thursday, gunmen invaded the Olegabulu community in Agatu LGA, where they killed a traditional ruler, his wife, son and two others.

Also, on Saturday night, armed men suspected to be local militias killed three mourners and kidnapped two others while returning from a burial ceremony in Sati Ikov Council Ward of Ushongo Local Government Area of the state.