Kano under threats as fleeing bandits invade border communities

 As peace efforts gain ground in Katsina State and military operations intensify against armed groups across Northwest, neighbouring Kano State is now facing a new security challenge over  influx of fleeing bandits seeking refuge in its border communities.

Residents said that the development has forced many families in affected border villages to flee their homes and seek safety in towns such as Shanono and Faruruwa, abandoning their farmlands, livestock, and livelihoods out of fear.

This comes after the Nigerian Mmilitary announced the killing of 19 bandits in an operation at Shanono Local Government Area on November 4, following repeated attacks in the area.

Several communities, including Tsamiya, Yan Kwana, Santar Abuja, Tudun Fulani, Malamai, Goron Dutse, and Kulki, have reportedly been deserted due to continued threats from bandits who have been terrorizing residents and disrupting daily activities.

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

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

In a statement issued on Saturday, Adamu warned that many of the bandits fleeing from military pressure in Katsina are now regrouping in forests along the Kano–Katsina border, posing a serious risk to lives, property, and agriculture in Kano’s rural areas.

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

The Miyetti Allah leader urged the Kano State Government and security agencies to strengthen security at border points by deploying soldiers, police, and civil defence officers in flashpoints such as Tsamiya, Faruruwa, Goron Dutse, and Tudun Fulani.

He called for community-based intelligence gathering, encouraging residents, farmers, and herders to work closely with authorities to share information that could prevent attacks. Adamu also called for the establishment of joint checkpoints and special patrol teams to protect farmlands and grazing areas, alongside security awareness campaigns in rural communities.

In addition, he appealed for humanitarian support to families displaced by the recent attacks and called for stronger inter-state collaboration among Kano, Katsina, and Kaduna to share intelligence and coordinate security efforts.

“Security is a collective responsibility, not the duty of government alone,” Adamu said. “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 efforts, authorities in Kano are now under pressure to prevent the emerging bandit threat from taking root in the state.