At least 15 people have been killed in a deadly reprisal attack by suspected bandits on the Kadobe and Falale communities in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State, heightening concerns over the fragility of ongoing peace efforts in the region.

The incident occurred on Tuesday in the Daddara district, where gunmen reportedly clashed with local vigilantes and community guards.

According to the Katsina State Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, the violence erupted after vigilantes engaged a group of repentant bandits, resulting in the initial deaths of three individuals.

This sparked a large-scale reprisal by armed bandits, leading to the additional fatalities.

Residents described the attack as unprovoked and targeted primarily at members of the local vigilante group, exacerbating fears in the already vulnerable rural areas.

According to reports, the surge in insecurity over the past 20 days including repeated killings and cattle rustling has coincided with reports of bandits who had previously claimed to repent under local peace initiatives.

Many residents in southern Jibia expressed deep frustration, alleging that their communities have been largely excluded from broader peace negotiations between government authorities and armed groups.

They accused authorities at federal, state, and local levels of failing to deliver adequate security, leaving rural populations exposed to persistent threats despite dialogue efforts.

The attack underscores persistent challenges in Katsina State, where community-led peace pacts in areas like Jibia have aimed to reduce violence through repentance and truces, but incidents continue to undermine confidence in these arrangements.

No immediate official comment was available on casualties beyond the confirmed 15 deaths or on any security response to the latest violence.

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested a suspected notorious gunrunner, Kelvin Ebikeniye Dugo, in Cross River State.

The arrest was made on Monday, March 16, 2026, at Ivara Esu Estate in Odukpani Local Government Area.

According to security sources, the operation was based on credible intelligence that Dugo was planning to take delivery of 850 rounds of live ammunition from Azenda Barnabas, also known as Jagaban, a gunrunner based in Aliade, Benue State.

DSS operatives intercepted Dugo shortly after he received the consignment, which had been cleverly concealed inside food items. Items recovered from him include 850 rounds of live ammunition and two empty AK-47 magazines.

The DSS described the arrest as part of its intensified nationwide crackdown on gunrunning syndicates and illegal arms proliferation.

“The Service has intensified its pursuit of such criminals, launching sustained operations across nearly all states of the Federation,” a source said.

The agency added that the operation is one of several ongoing efforts aimed at dismantling criminal networks involved in the illegal arms trade.

No further details have been released as investigations continue.

The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed that 23 people were killed and 108 others injured in a series of suspected suicide bombings that struck three locations in Maiduguri on Monday evening.

In an official statement, Police Public Relations Officer Nahum Kenneth Daso said the coordinated attacks occurred around 7:24 p.m. on March 16, 2026, targeting the Maiduguri Monday Market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the Post Office Flyover.

The explosions, believed to have been carried out with improvised explosive devices, were described as suspected suicide bombings. All 108 injured victims sustained varying degrees of injuries and were evacuated to nearby medical facilities for treatment.

Security forces, including police and military personnel, responded swiftly to the scenes. The Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit conducted sweep operations to ensure no additional threats remained, while the affected areas were cordoned off.

Borno State Commissioner of Police Naziru Abdulmajid visited the blast sites and assured residents that security had been intensified across the city.

He said investigations into the attacks are ongoing.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the incidents, which rank among the deadliest in Maiduguri in recent years.