No fewer than 14 persons have lost their lives following a violent confrontation between local vigilantes and suspected “repentant bandits” in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The casualties reportedly include three suspected gunmen and 11 members of a vigilance group drawn from affected communities.
According to a counter-insurgency publication, Zagazola Makama, the incident occurred on Tuesday after a peace arrangement between residents of Falale and Kadobe villages and a group of bandits who had reportedly laid down arms broke down.
Sources familiar with the situation said the clash was triggered by a loss of trust between both parties, despite ongoing non-military efforts by the state government to address insecurity in parts of the state.
It was gathered that tensions escalated around noon, leading to an exchange that resulted in the killing of three suspected bandits.
The development, however, sparked a retaliatory attack by the armed group, during which 11 vigilantes were reportedly killed.
The Katsina State Police Command confirmed the incident, adding that security personnel were promptly deployed to the area after receiving reports of the violence.
Security agencies, including operatives of Operation FANSAN YANMA, alongside the police and other stakeholders, were said to have engaged community leaders in efforts to calm tensions and prevent further bloodshed.
Authorities noted that calm has since returned to the affected communities, while an investigation into the incident is ongoing.