Homes in ruins, livelihoods destroyed as security forces allegedly raid Kano communities
News Homes in ruins, livelihoods destroyed as security forces allegedly raid Kano communities Published on March 31, 2026 By Kabeer Bello googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1500386953281-8'); }); Residents of three rural communities in Wudil Local Government Area of Kano State, Katai, Faudan, and Gaba Gadi, are reeling from the aftermath of a violent raid that left homes in ruins, livelihoods destroyed, and tensions dangerously heightened. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, March 27, 2026, about 60 kilometres from Kano city, has been described by locals as both tragic and deeply unsettling. Villagers allege that security operatives suspected to be police officers stormed the communities, setting houses ablaze, looting shops, firing gunshots, and deploying tear gas. DAILY POST visit to the affected communities revealed widespread devastation. Dozens of houses were reduced to ashes, alongside food storage facilities, vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, and grinding machines. Burnt livestock littered parts of the villages, animals reportedly set on fire while still alive, while shops were broken into and looted. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1524595905268-5'); }); How the Violence Started Residents say the crisis began late Thursday night when unidentified gunmen invaded the villages, firing sporadically and injuring at least one person. In response, local youths reportedly apprehended one of the suspected attackers and beat him to death, while others fled. By Friday morning, the situation escalated. According to multiple accounts, more than 15 vehicles carrying armed security personnel entered the communities, allegedly shooting indiscriminately, deploying tear gas, and setting properties ablaze. Survivors Recounts Harrowing Experiences. Muhd Yakubu, a resident of Katai, provided details on the scale of his loss. “They burnt all my rooms completely. They also set my food store on fire. About 20 goats were burnt alive.” In another account, a centenarian woman sustained burns to her face and hands after her home was torched. “I was inside when they came and asked for the men of the house. I told them no one was around. They searched the rooms and after that, they set the house on fire. Our farm produce, rooms, and even a newly parked Golf car were burnt. You can see where I was burnt while trying to escape,” she said. Residents also alleged that three young men were arrested during the operation and taken into custody, with their whereabouts still unknown. Hunger Looms in Faudan In Faudan, the destruction of homes and food barns has raised fears of an imminent humanitarian crisis. Abdulrahman Sale, representing the ward head, warned, “Right now, we are looking up to God and the government. In a short time, hunger will begin to affect our people because all the food we depend on have been completely burnt. We are calling on the government to investigate and bring those responsible to justice.” Gaba Gadi community recorded similar losses, including the destruction of food storage facilities and the residence of one Ya’u A. Hassan, underscoring the scale of devastation across the three villages. Allegations of Underlying Land Dispute Residents linked the violence to a longstanding farmland dispute involving external actors. A local resident, Mal Ilya, alleged that a district head from neighbouring Bunkure Local Government Area had been selling ancestral farmlands to wealthy individuals. “The district head has been selling our ancestral farmlands to wealthy individuals. We refused because the lands belong to our families. He threatened to involve authorities against anyone who opposed him. Now, one of our people, Ali, has been taken away, and we don’t know where he is,” he claimed. Efforts to reach the district head of Indabo were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. The Kano State Police Command has also yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident. Lawmaker Demands Investigation Reacting to the development, the member representing Wudil/Garko Federal Constituency, Abdulhakim Kamilu Ado, called for a full-scale investigation into the alleged raid. In a statement shared on his Facebook page, he described the incident in Katai and Faudan as “deeply distressing and alarming,” urging security agencies at all levels, local government authorities, and traditional leaders to conduct a thorough probe. He further called for immediate measures to restore peace, security, and the well-being of affected communities. A Cry for Urgent Intervention As residents sift through the ashes of their homes and livelihoods, calls for urgent government intervention are growing louder. With food supplies destroyed and shelter lost, many fear the crisis could quickly spiral into a humanitarian emergency without swift relief and accountability. Don't Miss Aiyedatiwa sacks political aides, set to appoint 1,000 aides You may like Obi, Tambuwal, Amaechi in Kano for Kwankwaso’s defection to ADC Persistent power outages, rising heat force business closures in Kano Former Kano Deputy Governor, Gwarzo resigns from NNPP One of Kano quintuplets dies, four remain in critical condition Kano govt official criticises Kwankwaso over NNPP exit Kwankwaso’s defection may affect APC in Kano – Bashir Ahmad