Bandits target villages in Nigeria, killing dozens, after military strikes

Gunmen from criminal gangs, known locally as bandits, killed 25 people in attacks on four villages in Katsina State, northwestern Nigeria, on Thursday.

This surge in violence is seen as a reprisal for recent military offensives targeting their hideouts.

The attackers, identified as bandit militias, stormed villages in the Sabuwa district, opening fire on residents.

Nasiru Babangida, Katsina state internal security commissioner, confirmed that at least 25 people were killed, with the highest number of casualties occurring in Unguwar Sarki village.

This attack highlights the escalating violence plaguing northwest Nigeria.

Many communities, facing limited state presence, have formed vigilante groups for self-defense.

Babangida stated that most fatalities were vigilantes attempting to confront the bandits, suggesting a cycle of tit-for-tat violence.

The attacks are seen as retaliation for ongoing military operations against bandit camps in Katsina and neighboring Kaduna state.

Babangida claims these offensives have inflicted heavy casualties on the bandits, with over 200 reported dead.

While these gangs have gained notoriety for mass kidnappings of students in recent years, their motives are primarily financial.

However, authorities are increasingly concerned about potential alliances forming between these criminal groups and the insurgents involved in the long-running insurgency in northeastern Nigeria.

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