At least 16 people are feared dead following an attack by suspected bandits on Kiliya village near Bagagadi in Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The attack occurred on Friday shortly after Juma’at prayers, when residents were gathered in the community during the ongoing Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

According to residents, the assailants initially arrived on a motorcycle before opening fire on villagers. Witnesses said panic erupted as people attempted to escape, but the gunmen allegedly shot indiscriminately, leaving several people dead and others injured.

A survivor said he narrowly escaped after taking cover inside a nearby building during the attack. He explained that when the shooting subsided, multiple bodies were discovered in different parts of the village.

Residents reported that some victims were found near a mechanic workshop, while others were discovered on surrounding farmlands, raising fears that more people may have been killed during the assault.

Community sources said several individuals remain missing, with families continuing efforts to locate their relatives. The uncertainty surrounding the whereabouts of some residents has heightened anxiety across the area.

The attack has also triggered a mass displacement, with hundreds of residents reportedly fleeing Kiliya for neighbouring communities, including Bagagadi and Radda, in search of safety.

Local sources suggested the assault may have been a retaliatory attack linked to the recent killing of two suspected bandits by villagers. However, authorities have not officially confirmed the motive behind the incident.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Katsina State Police Command, Abubakar Aliyu, said he would verify the report but had yet to provide an official update at the time of filing.

The latest attack underscores the continuing security challenges facing communities across Katsina State and other parts of northwestern Nigeria, where armed groups have repeatedly carried out killings, kidnappings, and cattle-rustling operations despite ongoing security interventions.