At least 20 people have been abducted by gunmen in a renewed wave of violence that hit several communities in Tsanyawa Local Government Area of Kano State during an overnight raid on Monday.
The attacks occurred in villages bordering Katsina State, an area increasingly targeted by armed groups operating along the boundary between the two states.
A resident who spoke to Arewa Radio, Kano, said on the condition of anonymity said the gunmen first stormed the communities of Sundu and Biresawa in ’Yan Ganau and ’Yan Cibi wards.
In the two villages, he said the attackers abducted 10 women, including married women, young girls, and a bride-to-be who was expected to get married soon.
Villagers said the raid threw the communities into panic, with many residents fleeing into nearby bushes and forests to escape.
Nine Men Abducted
The gunmen later moved towards Zakawa and Masaurari, two border settlements between Tsanyawa and Katsina where nine men were seized.
Another eyewitness reported that the attackers arrived around 10 p.m., forcing residents to flee to a nearby forest for safety.
This latest violence comes only days after gunmen attacked ’Yan Cibi Tsohon Gari and ’Yan Ganau, also within Tsanyawa Local Government.
In that earlier incident, large numbers of livestock were stolen and residents were dispossessed of substantial amounts of money, further deepening fears among communities already grappling with insecurity.
The attacks are particularly worrying for locals because they occurred despite the recent heavy deployment of soldiers and police officers between Shanono and Tsanyawa, an operation intended to strengthen security along the corridor.
Residents acknowledged the presence of security personnel but argued that their deployment strategy has been ineffective.
According to them, security operatives are more concentrated within the towns instead of the actual border routes used by the gunmen to enter and exit the area. As a result, help often arrives too late to prevent attacks or chase the assailants.
Community leaders are now calling for a more strategic, intelligence-led approach that focuses on vulnerable crossing points and strengthens patrols along the bush paths connecting Tsanyawa to neighbouring Katsina communities.
The State Police Command is yet to comment as of the time of filling this report.
