Bandits stormed Jikamshi market on Monday evening and opened fire on traders as they closed shop for the day. Seven people died in the shooting.
About 15 armed gunmen on motorcycles raced into the market, sprayed bullets, and made off with goods valued at millions of naira. Witnesses watched helplessly as the attackers escaped.
The Jikamshi attack is part of a broader wave of violence sweeping Katsina State. In a separate incident over the weekend, bandits killed 17 residents of Gwalgoro village in Kankia Local Government Area.
Combined, the two attacks have left at least 24 people dead. Many women and children have fled Gwalgoro in search of safety.
Military forces, however, struck back. Soldiers neutralised 45 terrorists during a fierce gun battle in Danmusa Local Government Area.
Tukur Aliyu, one of those killed at Jikamshi, had just returned from Lagos where he attended his daughter's wedding. He left behind three wives, about 20 children, and several dependents.
His widow spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity, her voice trembling with worry. "Our lives are in danger now.
He was our breadwinner, struggling to keep the family going. Now he is gone, we don't know how we will survive," she said.
Rabi'u Ashiru, 35, died in his phone shop at Bakin Kasuwa. His wedding had been scheduled for a few months away.
Ashiru's father, Ba Zama, sat with tears streaming down his face as he spoke. "We are completely confused.
We have lost a pillar of the family. He paid school fees, fed us and catered to our needs.
We don't know what to do," the grieving father told reporters.
Another victim, Umar Salisu, was 55 years old. He left behind 16 children and two wives.
Salisu's wife Amina wept as she described their situation. "Let me tell you we're finished; the future of this family is uncertain," she said.
A local security official, Bilyaminu Abubakar, has since relocated to Katsina city because of the violence. He accused certain individuals of claiming to have given up arms while still terrorising communities.
"Those who claimed to have repented but did not lay down their weapons are still terrorising our communities," he alleged. "Authorities are aware, but nothing tangible is being done."
The chairman of MACBAN in Musawa LGA confirmed all victims had been buried according to Islamic rites. He described the assault as devastating.
According to him, state government efforts alone cannot contain the crisis. "The scale of the attack is enormous.
There must be moral, financial and military support from the federal government," he noted.
A friend of one victim, Nura Jikamshi, made an urgent plea to government officials. "I want to appeal for support for the families of the deceased," he said.
