Barrage

Gunmen killed a local leader, and two others, in Katsina, amidst a wave of violence that included a separate attack in Zamfara where at least 46 people were kidnapped.

Gunmen have killed the Katsina State Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeder Association of Nigeria, Surajo Leader, and two others in Kusada Local Government Area (LGA) of the state. Witnesses said that the gunmen also abducted two of the deceased’s wives and his daughter, an undergraduate student. In Zamfara State, gunmen kidnapped at least 46 people, including women and children, in a raid on Gana town, Reuters reported. The attack occurred on Sunday, with dozens of gunmen on motorbikes unleashing a barrage of gunfire on the community and setting fire to several homes, businesses and silos containing foodstuff, residents said.

A few years ago, at the height of animosity against what was perceived as violence driven by criminals of Fulani ethnicity, there were indications that the spiralling security crisis meant just anybody, including the Fulani themselves, could be victims. These victims were not necessarily targeted by anti-Fulani violence in terms of reprisals but rather by Fulani people themselves. Since 2021, these incidents have increased, spreading from the Northcentral (Kwara and the FCT) to the Northwest, further inflaming the Hausa-Fulani rivalry.

Surajo Leader’s death appears to have occurred within the wider context of the kidnapping crisis, which has so far spared no one. In recent months, the casualty list has expanded to include individuals across all social classes, from elites, as in Surajo’s case, to ordinary people in Zamfara. The inability to address this crisis effectively suggests that little is likely to change by 2025.

Meanwhile, the security services’ operational framework remains largely unchanged from past practices, achieving some success in suppressing rivalries and breaking down the silos in which the various services historically operated. In parts of the Northwest and Northeast, joint operations involving the military, police, and vigilantes are increasingly common in efforts to combat banditry.

However, Nigeria’s experience has demonstrated that kinetic methods alone cannot solve a problem rooted in economic inequality, poverty, and widespread lack. This deepening security crisis is further illustrated by recent violence in Katsina and Zamfara states. The tragic murders in Katsina and mass kidnappings in Zamfara, coupled with the destruction of homes and food silos, reveal the growing audacity of criminal groups operating with impunity.

These incidents are symptoms of deeper structural issues and are often under-reported, with foreign media providing most of the coverage. This lack of local attention raises concerns about Nigerian journalism and national media priorities, which obscure the crisis and stifle public pressure on the government. Kidnapping and banditry, now thriving economic industries, are fueled by desperation and the collapse of traditional livelihoods in impoverished areas with weak state presence. The proliferation of small arms and the mobility of bandits further complicate containment efforts.

The government’s response has been largely reactionary, failing to address the socioeconomic roots of the problem. Military actions and negotiations have yielded limited success, as the absence of job creation, infrastructure development, and agricultural revitalisation perpetuates the cycle of criminality. Restoring security in Northern Nigeria requires more than military interventions. Strategic investments in education, vocational training, and social services are essential to empower citizens and weaken criminal networks. The government must also bolster media efforts to report these crises, as visibility is crucial for mobilising public outrage and international support. The killings and abductions underscore the human cost of inaction, necessitating a comprehensive approach to tackle the economic and social inequalities driving the violence.