The Katsina State Police Command has confirmed that suspected armed bandits killed two civilians and a police officer during attacks along the Karadua–Musawa Road in Matazu Local Government Area.
The incident occurred on Sunday when the assailants reportedly blocked the road and opened fire on a moving Volkswagen Golf vehicle, killing two occupants on the spot.
In a statement issued on Monday in Katsina, the command’s spokesman, DSP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, said security operatives responded swiftly to the distress call.
He explained that a joint team comprising police personnel, military operatives, members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps, and local vigilantes was mobilised to the scene.
“The team swiftly dislodged the assailants and evacuated the victims to a nearby hospital,” he said.
According to the spokesman, the bandits later regrouped and attempted to launch another attack on the Musawa Police Division.
However, officers on duty successfully repelled the assault after a fierce gun battle, preventing the attackers from overrunning the facility.
He added that during the encounter, one police officer was killed while defending the station.
The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar-Fage, stated that additional operational assets had been deployed to the affected area to strengthen security and prevent further attacks.
He also ordered a full-scale investigation to track down and arrest the perpetrators.
Umar-Fage expressed condolences to the families of the slain civilians and the fallen officer, describing the officer as a hero who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
He urged residents to remain calm and continue supporting security agencies with credible information as efforts intensify to bring those responsible to justice.
