Armed assailants struck two farming communities in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State on Sunday, May 18, 2026, leaving at least 10 people dead.

The attack occurred in the late afternoon, around 4 p.m., in Gidan Sarkin Noma and Gidan Wawu within Guga Ward. Residents say the gunmen timed the raid for when many locals were returning home from the weekly Guga market ahead of Eid al-Kabir celebrations.

Among those killed was a pregnant woman and Mujitafa Nuhu, known locally as “Officer,” who served with the Katsina Security Watch Corps. Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers opened fire on villagers, set homes ablaze, destroyed property, and made off with livestock. 

Locals described the assault as the worst in recent months, noting that while the area has faced repeated bandit raids, the scale of this attack was unprecedented. 

Northwest Nigeria has experienced a rise in violent raids by armed groups often referred to as bandits, who target rural areas with limited security coverage. As of Sunday evening, Katsina State police had not released an official statement on the incident.

Sources: Eyewitness accounts reported by Reuters, Premium Times