The Katsina State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, has confirmed that armed bandits launched an attack on a joint team of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps and vigilante members, resulting in the fatal shooting of 21 individuals.
On January 7, 2025, at around 16:30hrs, the attack occurred in Baure village, Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State, as the security personnel were returning from what was initially reported as a condolence visit.
Sadiq stated, “The incident prompted a quick response from police operatives at the Safana Divisional Headquarters, who moved to the scene and restored order.” Unfortunately, the attack left 21 people dead.
Sadiq further assured, “Efforts are currently underway to ensure the arrest of the perpetrators of this dastardly act. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.”
However, a Baure resident, speaking via phone, contested the claim that the security personnel were on a condolence visit.
The resident asserted that they were actually in Baure to confront the bandits, who dominate the area.
“It is not true that they were on a condolence visit to the family of one of their members who was killed some time ago,” the resident said. “There is no security presence in Baure, and everyone there lives under the control of the bandits.”
According to the resident, bandits frequently target the village’s market, and the security team’s real purpose was to confront the criminals.
“Unfortunately, the bandits had been tipped off about the joint security team’s arrival and had bolstered their forces, which is why the casualties were so high. Many were killed, and many more were injured. The death toll exceeded 20.”
The resident continued, “It was during the attack that the community reached out for reinforcements, contacting both the chairman of Safana and the police for help.”
Additionally, the resident reported that another attack occurred in Wurma, just 7 kilometers from Baure.
Four individuals were killed, including two CWC members and two women. Wurma is located in the Kurfi LGA, while Baure falls under Safana. The attack in Wurma also involved the burning of homes and shops.
