At least 16 people are feared dead and several others remain missing after armed men attacked Kiliya village in Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina State on Friday afternoon.
Residents said the attackers arrived on motorcycles shortly after Friday prayers and the Eid-el-Kabir gathering had begun. Witnesses reported that the gunmen moved through parts of the village and opened fire on residents and passersby.
One resident who escaped the attack said the violence began when armed men rode into the area, causing panic among villagers who had been sitting together after prayers. He said some residents tried to flee while others took cover in nearby homes as gunshots spread across the community.
When the shooting subsided, residents reported finding multiple bodies, including relatives of some survivors. Several others were later discovered in surrounding farmlands, raising concern that more victims may still be unaccounted for.
The attack also forced a large number of residents to leave the village. More than 400 people reportedly fled to nearby communities, including Bagagadi and Radda, where families are currently hosting displaced persons, many of them women and children.
Another witness said the initial assault was followed by the arrival of additional armed men, which intensified the attack and widened its impact across the village.
Some local sources suggested the violence may be linked to a reprisal following the killing of two suspected members of a criminal group by vigilantes in the area days earlier, though this has not been confirmed by authorities.
Security agencies had not issued a formal statement at the time of filing this report. The spokesperson of the Katsina State Police Command said the incident had not yet been officially reported to the command but assured that updates would follow once details are received.
The attack adds to ongoing security concerns in parts of Katsina State, where rural communities continue to experience repeated incidents of armed violence, kidnappings, and displacement.
