16 Feared Dead as Bandits Attack Katsina Village After Friday Prayers

KATSINA, NIGERIA – At least 16 villagers are feared dead, while many others remain missing, following an attack by bandits on Kiliya village near Bagagadi in Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina State . The attack occurred on Friday shortly after residents had concluded Juma’at prayers and were relaxing, holding discussions in the spirit of the Sallah celebrations .

An eyewitness from the area recounted that he first saw two bandits riding on a motorcycle. Villagers began running upon sighting them, but the attackers ordered them to stop. The bandits later went to a mechanic’s house and suddenly opened fire on residents and other passersby . “After the Friday prayers, we were sitting together with other villagers. I called a boy who was selling local drinks and bought a bowl from him when the bandits arrived. I saw two of them on a motorcycle. People started running and they told us not to run, but suddenly they began shooting,” the source said . “The boy and I ran into a house and hid. While in hiding, we heard screams and gunshots everywhere. After some minutes, the shooting stopped. When we came out, we found the lifeless bodies of about 16 people, including some of my uncles and cousins,” he added .

According to him, following the attack more than 400 people have sought refuge in Bagagadi village, while many others have relocated to Radda village for safety . He added that several residents are still unaccounted for after the attack. A resident of neighbouring Bagagadi village told reporters that more than 30 displaced persons from Kiliya village, mostly women and children, are currently taking shelter in his house . There are indications that some victims were killed on their farms, as several bodies were found in farmlands around the village . Another eyewitness, a 14-year-old boy, said he saw the first motorcycle arrive and that more attackers followed after the initial gunmen had opened fire indiscriminately on the villagers.

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Sources suggest the attack may have been a reprisal for a previous incident. It was gathered that two suspected bandits were reportedly killed by villagers a few days earlier . “From the nature of this attack, it appears to be a reprisal attack because a few days ago, two bandits were killed, and reports indicated that they belonged to a notorious gang. Perhaps that is why they came to the village and carried out this attack,” a source said .

The attack on Kiliya village is the latest in a series of deadly bandit attacks across Katsina State . In recent weeks, several communities have experienced violent raids. The Katsina State Police Command has been actively working to counter these threats. On May 19, 2026, police announced the arrest of a 45-year-old man, Surajo Isyaku, over his alleged involvement in kidnapping, cattle rustling, and acting as an informant for armed bandits operating in Matazu LGA . The suspect was reportedly linked to the deadly attack on Sayaya village in Matazu LGA, during which a police officer was killed and several houses destroyed .

Similarly, in early May, troops of the 17 Brigade neutralized four suspected terrorists during a patrol along the Turare-Yantumaki Road in Dutsinma LGA, recovering one AK-47 rifle, ammunition, motorcycles, mobile phones, and cash . The neutralized suspects were identified as key figures behind a series of deadly attacks in communities within Dutsinma and Matazu LGAs . The Katsina State Government has consistently condemned these attacks. In response to previous incidents, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Mu’azu, described the targeting of civilians as “unacceptable and an act of terror” . The state government has also reaffirmed its commitment to tackling insecurity and safeguarding lives and property .

When contacted, the Katsina State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, said the report of the attack was yet to reach the command, but promised to reach out as soon as the command receives the report . As of the time of filing this report, he was yet to get back to our reporter .

16 Feared Dead as Bandits Attack Katsina Village After Friday Prayers

‘Negotiate, Don’t Let Them Waste Us’: Abducted Oyo Principal Begs Tinubu, Makinde

IBADAN, OYO STATE – Rachael Alamu, the abducted principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, has made a desperate appeal from captivity to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde, pleading with them to abandon the use of force and instead negotiate with the kidnappers holding her and dozens of others hostage . In two separate videos posted on Instagram on Friday, a visibly traumatized Alamu said she and other victims, including young children, have spent 13 days in the bush since gunmen attacked three schools in the area on May 15, 2026 . She described their harrowing conditions, saying they have been exposed to harsh weather with no shelter. “We are in the cold, we are under the sun, we are under the rain, the children and the adults as well. Please, we are begging you, don’t let them waste our lives,” she pleaded .

The principal specifically warned that a failed rescue attempt by security operatives has worsened their situation and directly endangered one of the captives. According to her, the kidnappers have selected one person for execution as a direct consequence of the government’s use of force. “The force that they used yesterday has cost us so much. It has added to our problems. In fact, someone among us has been picked and they are going to kill him because government tried to help us by force,” she revealed in the video . “We don’t need force, all they have to do is to negotiate with them and release us. Please, just negotiate with them and dialogue with them,” she added . The principal also made a direct appeal to the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) to intervene and help facilitate negotiations .

Abducted Oyo School Principal Rachael Alamu

In another emotional video, Alamu spoke in Yoruba, begging for mercy and urgent intervention. “Please, help us. We beg you in the name of God, please have mercy on us. This is too much. In the sun and in the rain. Both old and young, we are in the same place,” she cried . “Today marks the 13th day since we were kidnapped. We don’t want you to fight them at all. Whatever they ask for, please, give to them” . She further stated, “Today is the 27th of May, 2026. It has been about 13 days since we were picked from work, and till now we are still in the bush” . The visibly exhausted principal warned that the kidnappers were becoming increasingly impatient and frustrated, raising fears that more lives could be lost if negotiations are not urgently initiated.

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One of the abducted teachers, Mary Akanbi, who is nursing a baby, also appeared in the video pleading for help. Clutching her young child, Akanbi begged Governor Makinde to negotiate with the abductors for their release. “We are pleading with Governor Seyi Makinde, please help us, negotiate with these people. Whatever they want, please give to them. We are all here; we the teachers and the students,” she said . It was earlier reported that a two-year-old toddler, Christianah Akanbi, of Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School, is among the 46 persons kidnapped by the terrorists .

The abduction occurred on May 15, 2026, when heavily armed gunmen on motorcycles attacked three schools in the Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota areas of Oriire Local Government Area: Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele; Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; and L.A. Primary School, Alawusa . According to community leaders, a total of 46 persons – seven teachers and 39 students – were abducted . The Oyo State Police Command later gave conflicting figures, stating that seven students, 18 pupils, and seven teachers remained missing . During the attack, an assistant headmaster was killed, and a commercial motorcyclist was also shot dead . A mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was later beheaded in captivity. A disturbing video that surfaced on Monday allegedly showed how the bandits tied Oyedokun to a tree before killing him .

Governor Makinde, while speaking to journalists shortly after the incident, confirmed that his administration was ready to listen to the abductors and would not surrender to terror in the state . “Whatever it is they demand, we are ready to listen to them and address the ones that we can address as a state government. But the children and their teachers must be released,” Makinde said . The governor also disclosed that about six suspects had been arrested in connection with the abduction, believed to be informants and logistics suppliers working with the kidnappers . He added that security operatives had encountered Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by the abductors during rescue attempts, which led to the deaths of some tactical team members, Amotekun Corps operatives, and local vigilantes .

The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, visited the affected communities and ordered intensified search-and-rescue operations, deploying additional detectives from the Force Headquarters to collaborate with the joint security team on the ground . The Defence Headquarters confirmed that troops had made contact with the abductors and were continuing search and pursuit operations with full determination . In a message marking the dual celebration of Eid-el-Kabir and National Children’s Day on May 27, Governor Makinde expressed solidarity with the families of the victims. “As we mark this year’s Eid and Children’s Day, our thoughts are with every family awaiting the return of their loved ones, and with security agencies working to keep our communities safe,” he wrote on his official X handle .

Meanwhile, teachers and civil society groups in Oyo State staged a peaceful protest demanding decisive and immediate action to secure the release of their colleagues and the schoolchildren. The National President of the Nigeria Teachers Congress (NTC), Reverend Bunmi Thomas, expressed deep concern over the condition of the victims, particularly the children. “We have children as young as two and three years old in the bush. They are exposed to rain and harsh weather conditions. These victims are in danger, and nobody knows who could be next,” he lamented . As of the time of this report, the abductors have reportedly opened communication channels with the state government, though it remains unclear whether negotiations have officially begun.

‘Negotiate, Don’t Let Them Waste Us’: Abducted Oyo Principal Begs Tinubu, Makinde

US Report: ‘We Are Victims, Not Perpetrators’ – MACBAN Fires Back

ABUJA, NIGERIA – The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has dismissed allegations tying the Fulani ethnic group to widespread militancy and banditry across the country, warning against the dangers of collective blame while insisting that pastoralist communities are themselves primary victims of insecurity . The association was responding to a recent report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) , which claimed that about 30,000 armed Fulani militants operate in various parts of Nigeria and contribute significantly to violations of religious freedom. The report described the militants as some of the deadliest non-state actors responsible for religious freedom violations in Nigeria .

MACBAN National President, Baba Ngelzarma , described the report’s estimate as misleading and unrepresentative of the broader Fulani population in Nigeria. He stressed that criminal elements should not be used to define an entire ethnic group. According to him, the individuals referenced in the report “do not, and will never, represent the 14.5 million peaceful Fulani citizens” in the country . Ngelzarma maintained that many Fulani pastoralists are themselves victims of insecurity , citing incidents of cattle rustling, kidnappings, and retaliatory attacks. “As MACBAN has stated in several reports and statements, law-abiding pastoralists are themselves primary victims of these criminal syndicates, routinely suffering from cattle rustling, mass abductions and retaliatory violence,” the statement read . He noted that law-abiding members of the community often bear the brunt of the violence perpetrated by criminal groups.

The association reiterated that it would neither shield nor excuse anyone involved in criminal acts , affirming its commitment to supporting security agencies in tackling insecurity nationwide. “MACBAN will not shield, make excuses for, or tolerate any individual or group engaging in violent criminality,” the association stated . MACBAN also disclosed that it has directed its state and zonal branches to strengthen intelligence-sharing with security agencies and traditional rulers to help identify and eliminate criminal elements operating within rural and border communities. “We are actively directing our zonal and state branches to formalise and deepen closed-door intelligence-sharing channels with federal security forces and local traditional rulers. We pledge our full cooperation to help law enforcement detect, isolate, and flush out criminal elements using our forests and borderlands as cover,” the association added.

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The association further condemned terrorism, banditry, and killings across the country , regardless of those responsible, while urging Nigerians to avoid ethnic profiling when addressing security challenges. It also denounced assaults on places of worship, including churches and mosques, stating that attacks carried out during religious services and holidays violate both religious principles and Nigeria’s constitutional order . The group warned that generalising criminal activities to an entire ethnic group could heighten tensions and undermine efforts to restore peace. “Criminality has no religion, and it has no ethnicity,” the statement said .

This latest reaction follows earlier efforts by MACBAN to counter similar allegations. In November 2025, the association formally wrote to the United States Congress , through the American embassy in Abuja, seeking the removal of its name from a proposed sanctions list under US House Resolution 860 , which targeted entities accused of violating religious freedom in Nigeria . The bill had listed MACBAN, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and “Fulani-Ethnic Militias” alongside globally sanctioned groups such as Boko Haram, ISIS-West Africa, the Taliban, and the Houthis . At a press conference then, Ngelzarma dismissed what he described as “misleading and incomplete assertions” contained in the resolution, insisting that MACBAN is a lawful socio-cultural and economic association , registered by the Federal Government in 1986, and not a militia or violent organisation . He noted that for over four decades, the association has operated openly with national, state, and local structures and executives democratically elected every four years. He cited partnerships with the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Armed Forces, NSCDC, NIPSS, state peace-building agencies, traditional rulers, as well as international organisations, including USAID, Mercy Corps, Search for Common Ground, and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue .

Ngelzarma also highlighted the heavy losses suffered by pastoralists , stating that verified records between 2015 and 2025 show that over 18,600 pastoralists were killed, more than 1.29 million displaced, 87,543 houses destroyed, and over one million cattle rustled or killed in 17 states . He added that several of MACBAN’s state chairmen and executives were assassinated for cooperating with security agencies, stressing that these incidents underscore the community’s vulnerability rather than any involvement in violence. “These tragedies show we are victims of insecurity, not perpetrators,” he said . More recently, MACBAN has continued to report attacks on pastoralist communities. On Thursday, May 21, 2026 , nine pastoralists, including babies, children, and women, were killed during an armed attack on Ika Achelle village in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State . Attackers also burned homes and stole over 200 cattle during the raid. MACBAN’s Kogi State secretary, Suleiman Muhammed, condemned the killings as unacceptable and called for a full investigation .

Additionally, MACBAN called on the government and development partners to invest in reforms within the livestock sector , particularly the promotion of ranching , as a long-term solution to conflicts associated with open grazing. The association has previously expressed support for the creation of a Federal Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries to holistically address issues across the entire livestock value chain, including production, processing, marketing, and security-related concerns . It added that achieving lasting peace would require a combination of justice, dialogue, enhanced security collaboration, and economic reforms targeting the root causes of violence.

US Report: ‘We Are Victims, Not Perpetrators’ – MACBAN Fires Back