Fleeing Bandits Invade Kano Border Communities as Military Pressure Mounts in Katsina

As military operations intensify against armed groups in Katsina and other parts of the Northwest, neighbouring Kano State is now grappling with a new security threat following the influx of fleeing bandits into its border communities.

Residents told news reporters that the development has forced several families to flee their villages and seek refuge in nearby towns such as Shanono and Faruruwa, abandoning their farms, livestock, and property due to fear of attacks.

This comes barely days after the Nigerian military announced the killing of 19 bandits in an operation in Shanono Local Government Area on November 4, following repeated assaults in the region.

Communities including Tsamiya, Yan Kwana, Santar Abuja, Tudun Fulani, Malamai, Goron Dutse, and Kulki have reportedly been deserted as a result of ongoing threats and disruptions to farming and trading activities.

Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have since established operational bases in Farin Ruwa and Shanono. The Commander of Sector 1, Major General Wase, also visited the troops to assess the situation and boost morale.

Amid growing concern, the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN), Kano State Chapter, Ambassador Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu, a retired Army Colonel, has issued a strong security advisory to the government, security agencies, and local communities to avert escalation.

In a statement released on Saturday, Adamu warned that many bandits fleeing from military pressure in Katsina are now regrouping in forests along the Kano–Katsina border, posing a grave threat to lives, property, and agriculture in rural Kano.

“If urgent action is not taken, the situation could spread deeper into Kano and become a major security challenge,” he cautioned.

He urged the Kano State Government and security agencies to tighten border security by deploying military and paramilitary forces in flashpoints such as Tsamiya, Faruruwa, Goron Dutse, and Tudun Fulani.

Adamu also called for community-based intelligence gathering, encouraging farmers, herders, and residents to collaborate with authorities to share vital information that could help prevent attacks. He further proposed joint checkpoints, special patrols to protect farmlands and grazing areas, and security awareness campaigns in rural communities.

In addition, the MACBAN chairman appealed for humanitarian support to displaced families and advocated for stronger inter-state coordination among Kano, Katsina, and Kaduna governments to share intelligence and sustain regional security efforts.

“Security is a collective responsibility, not the duty of government alone,” Adamu emphasized. “We must all work together — government, security agencies, community leaders, and local organizations — to confront this threat before it grows worse.”

With both the military and community leaders stepping up vigilance, authorities in Kano are now under pressure to prevent the emerging bandit threat from taking root in the state.