KATSINA, NIGERIA – August 20, 2025 – Katsina State is once again at the center of Nigeria’s worsening security crisis after armed bandits launched deadly attacks on both a mosque and a church, leaving residents gripped with fear.
Acting Governor Farouk Lawal Jobe condemned the repeated killings and appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently direct security agencies to put an end to what he described as “unprovoked attacks on peaceful communities.”
“The people of Katsina State deserve to live in security and not in fear. We respectfully ask the President to issue decisive orders to all security agencies,” Jobe said.
Massacre During Morning Prayers
On 19 August 2025, gunmen stormed Unguwar Mantau Mosque, opening fire during morning prayers. At least 27 worshippers were killed in what locals say was a revenge attack. Reports indicate that villagers had ambushed and killed several gang members the previous weekend, prompting the deadly reprisal.
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Just days earlier, the Nigerian Air Force bombed a criminal hideout in Jigawa Sawai, near the Zamfara border, freeing 62 kidnapped victims. Many of the captives had been taken in an overnight raid on 11 August in Sayaya village by a Fulani armed group.
Church in Flames: Attack on St. Paul’s Catholic Parish
In another disturbing incident, armed herdsmen attacked St. Paul’s Catholic Parish in Aye-Twar on 10–11 August, destroying church property and shutting down pastoral activities.
According to Fr. Samuel Fila, Chairman of the Nigerian Catholic Diocesan Priests’ Association (NCDPA), Katsina-Ala Diocese:
“The barbaric attack left behind destruction of the parish church, burning of the Father’s House, pastoral vehicles, and essential facilities. All 26 outstations have now been abandoned due to armed occupation.”
Education Under Threat
Beyond the direct killings, insecurity has crippled education in Katsina. An Oxford Policy Management study revealed that between 2020 and 2025:
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330 students were abducted,
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14 teachers kidnapped,
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5 teachers killed, and
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52 schools forced to shut down in Batsari, Faskari, and Kankara LGAs.
The porous Niger border remains a major challenge, enabling the influx of armed gangs, jihadist groups, and illegal smuggling. In a recent operation, customs officials seized large quantities of illicit drugs, including Tramadol, fueling concerns about the criminal economy sustaining these gangs.
The Bandit Crisis: Who Are They?
In Nigeria, the term “bandits” generally refers to heavily armed criminal groups that specialize in:
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Kidnapping for ransom
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Cattle rustling
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Armed robbery
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Deadly village raids
Most operate on motorcycles, targeting vulnerable rural communities with increasing sophistication and advanced weaponry.
A large proportion of these gangs are linked to Fulani criminal groups, often referred to as “herdsmen.” However, experts warn against blanket stereotyping of the Fulani people, emphasizing that only a fraction of individuals engage in violent crime, while the broader ethnic group condemns such acts.
Growing Calls for Action
The escalating attacks on religious centers and schools in Katsina underscore the urgent need for comprehensive security reforms. Governor Jobe’s appeal reflects growing frustration among citizens who feel abandoned in the face of worsening violence.
For now, Katsina residents remain caught in a cycle of fear, praying for swift intervention to restore peace and protect lives.
