Tension has gripped Danjanku, Dantashi, and Dayi communities in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State following a fresh bandit attack that left one person dead and 17 others abducted, despite an existing peace deal between the criminals and the government.

Residents said the latest attack, which occurred on Monday night, was the third in less than a week, bringing the total number of abducted persons from the affected areas to over 30.

Eyewitnesses told journalists that the gunmen invaded Danjanku around midnight, scaling fences to gain access to homes, where they abducted several residents and killed one person.

In protest against the repeated attacks and alleged government inaction, youths from the affected communities on Tuesday morning blocked the Funtua–Katsina highway, demanding better security.

However, the protest reportedly turned violent when a combined team of security operatives arrived to disperse the demonstrators. Residents alleged that soldiers opened fire on the protesters, killing two and injuring others.

The unrest later spread to Dantashi and Dayi, where residents joined in solidarity, mounting roadblocks and burning tyres to express anger over the worsening insecurity in the area.

Calm was eventually restored following the intervention of traditional rulers and community elders.

Confirming the attack, the Village Head of Danjanku, Tanimu Almakiyayi, said the community now lives in fear.

“They came last night, killed one person, and abducted several others. We are living in fear here,” he said.

A security source, who did not want to be named, also confirmed the incident, saying 17 persons were abducted and one killed during the invasion.

Efforts to reach the Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer for comment were unsuccessful, as calls and messages were not returned at the time of filing this report.

Residents further alleged that bandits have continued to extort and harass farmers in Malumfashi and neighbouring Bakori areas despite the peace agreement with the state government.

“They still tax us to harvest our farm produce. Even after paying, there’s no guarantee we can farm or move freely,” a local lamented.