Bandits abduct Katsina residents, demand N150m ransom

Bandits have attacked the Zangon Kankara community in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, abducting several residents during a late-night raid on Saturday, April 11, 2026. According to a source in the area, the assailants stormed the community under the cover of darkness and whisked away an unspecified number of people to an unknown […]

Bandits have attacked the Zangon Kankara community in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, abducting several residents during a late-night raid on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

According to a source in the area, the assailants stormed the community under the cover of darkness and whisked away an unspecified number of people to an unknown location.

The source also revealed that the exact number of victims abducted remains unclear.

It was gathered that the bandits have already contacted the families of the victims by phone, demanding a ransom of N150 million for their release.

Further information suggests that a notorious bandit known as Malam Ikku, believed to be a native of the area, may be behind the attack, with strong indications that the abducted victims are currently in his custody.

Another source told our reporter that Malam Ikku is on a revenge mission over the death of his elder brother, Alhaji Ilya, who was allegedly killed by security operatives.

It was gathered that his late brother had been serving as a link between community members and the bandits and was said to have been very active in the peace deal attained between the community and the bandits.

Community sources said the brother was mistakenly killed during a raid by security operatives.

The source added that a warning had been issued by the bandit three days before the attack on the Zango community.

However, security authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.

Efforts to reach the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Mu’azu Danmusa, proved abortive, as calls to his phone line were not answered, and a text message sent was not responded to.