Residents and motorists in Katsina State have deserted several major highways and roads following a fresh wave of bandit attacks, raising fears that fragile local peace agreements may have collapsed.
The renewed violence has hit communities across Dandume, Danmusa, Kankara, Matazu, Musawa and routes linking Katsina to neighbouring states like Kaduna, Zamfara and Sokoto.
Bandits on motorcycles now carry out frequent raids, abductions, and cattle rustling, both day and night.Many travellers have abandoned key routes and are now taking longer, costlier alternative roads to avoid ambushes.
A commercial driver, Aminu Babangida, said he has stopped using the Katsina–Jibia road to Zamfara and now detours through Funtua, adding over 250 kilometres to his journey.
“With the renewed attacks, travelling has become extremely risky. We have no option but to take longer routes, which are more expensive with the current fuel prices,” he said.
Another driver, Malam Mustapha Shu’aibu, revealed that travellers between Katsina and Funtua now avoid the Dutsinma Kankara axis and use the Gidan Mutum Daya route instead, but even that has become dangerous after recent bandit sightings.
The attacks have severely affected the local economy. Traders have reduced movements, while many farmers who returned to their lands during the period of relative calm are retreating again, threatening food production.
In one recent incident in Sayaya village, Matazu Local Government Area, bandits attacked a police station, killed an officer, looted a primary healthcare centre and carted away goods from shops.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Katsina described the resurgence of violence as alarming and unacceptable.
In response, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda convened an emergency Security Council meeting with security chiefs and stakeholders to address the crisis.
Security experts warn that without sustained military action, intelligence, and socio-economic interventions, the cycle of temporary peace followed by fresh attacks will continue.
Many residents now fear that the much-celebrated peace deals in the state have failed, returning fear and uncertainty to the region.
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