Gunmen have killed 21 people in an ambush targeting a joint team of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps (KSCWC) and local vigilantes in Baure village, Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The attack, which occurred on Tuesday at around 4:30 p.m., was confirmed in a statement on Friday by Abubakar Aliyu, the spokesperson for the Katsina State Police Command. According to Aliyu, the victims were ambushed while returning from a condolence visit.

“Police operatives from Safana Divisional Headquarters responded promptly to the incident and restored normalcy to the area. Sadly, 21 persons were fatally shot,” Aliyu said. He added that efforts were ongoing to track down the attackers, with updates to follow as investigations progress.

Eyewitness reports suggest that the death toll could be higher, with claims that 25 people may have been killed and many others still missing.

A witness who spoke anonymously described Baure as a stronghold of bandits and alleged that the attackers took advantage of a local market day to ambush the vigilantes and terrorize villagers.

“They laid an ambush on the road and opened fire on the vehicle conveying the vigilantes, killing many. They also trailed people to their homes, killing scores. From the headcount so far, over 15 people have been confirmed killed, while many others are still missing,” the witness said.

Another source reported that some of the victims were from neighboring LGAs, including Charanci, Burji, Jibiya, and Kaita. “We rescued over 20 people during the attack. So far, 25 people have been confirmed dead, and many are unaccounted for,” the source added.

This incident comes months after a similar attack in June 2024, when bandits killed 26 people in the Gidan Boka and Dan Nakwabo communities of Kankara LGA. That attack also claimed the lives of four police officers and two KSCWC members.

The latest ambush highlights the persistent security challenges in Katsina State, where bandits continue to wreak havoc on local communities.