Fresh concerns over the worsening security situation in Katsina State emerged on Wednesday following the killing of a Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officer by suspected armed bandits in Faskari Local Government Area. The incident, which occurred along the Funtua–Tafoki road, has sparked outrage and renewed calls for decisive action to stem persistent violence in the area.
The slain officer was identified as Ibrahim Dalhatu Tafoki, a serving official of the FRSC. He was reportedly attacked and killed on Tuesday evening, December 23, 2025, while travelling within the Tafoki axis of Faskari LGA. According to available reports, the assailants also carted away his motorcycle after the attack.
The incident was confirmed on Wednesday by a security analyst known as Bakatsine, who disclosed details of the killing in a post that has since circulated widely on social media and security monitoring platforms.
“Yesterday evening, a Road Safety officer, Ibrahim Dalhatu Tafoki, was killed by armed bandits in the Tafoki axis of Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, along the Funtua–Tafoki road, and they took his motorcycle,” Bakatsine wrote.
He noted that the killing occurred in an area that has recently been the focus of peace-building and reconciliation initiatives aimed at ending banditry and restoring stability.
“The attack occurred within an area that has recently witnessed several peace and reconciliation efforts with bandits aimed at restoring calm,” he added.
The killing has drawn particular attention because of the victim’s family background and his connection to prominent figures within the state. Ibrahim Dalhatu Tafoki was the younger brother of Rt. Hon. Shehu Dalhatu Tafoki, a member of the House of Representatives representing the Kankara–Faskari–Sabua Federal Constituency. He was also the son of the Tafoki traditional leader, Alhaji Dalhatu Tafoki, a respected community figure in the area.
News of his death has plunged the Tafoki community and surrounding areas into mourning, with residents expressing shock that such an attack could occur despite ongoing engagements between authorities, community leaders, and armed groups.
Local sources said the late FRSC officer was known as a quiet and dedicated public servant who was committed to his duties and his community. His killing, they said, underscores the vulnerability of both security personnel and civilians travelling along major rural roads in Katsina State.
The Funtua–Tafoki road, where the incident occurred, is a key route linking several communities in southern Katsina. In recent years, it has also become notorious for bandit attacks, abductions, and killings, despite repeated assurances from authorities that security has improved.
Residents of the area said attacks have continued intermittently, often targeting travellers, farmers, and commuters. The killing of a uniformed officer has further heightened fears that armed groups remain bold and undeterred.
“This incident has shaken everyone,” said a resident of Faskari who requested anonymity. “If a federal officer can be attacked and killed on the road, then ordinary people are even more at risk. We are living in fear.”
The attack has also reignited debate over the effectiveness of non-kinetic approaches to tackling banditry, such as dialogue and reconciliation. While some community leaders argue that engagement is necessary to end years of bloodshed, others believe that such efforts have failed to deter criminal violence.
Bakatsine, reflecting this growing frustration, posed a poignant question following the killing. “How many more lives must be lost before security truly returns to these communities?” he asked.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the Katsina State Police Command or the Federal Road Safety Corps regarding the killing. It was also unclear whether any arrests had been made or if a manhunt for the perpetrators was underway.
However, security sources said investigations had commenced and that relevant agencies were working to track down those responsible for the attack. They added that security patrols were expected to be intensified along the Funtua–Tafoki corridor in the coming days.
The killing of Ibrahim Dalhatu Tafoki adds to a growing list of security personnel who have lost their lives to bandit attacks in northwestern Nigeria. Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, and parts of Kaduna states have for years grappled with armed groups who engage in kidnapping for ransom, cattle rustling, and violent attacks on communities.
Despite repeated military operations and the deployment of special security forces, banditry has persisted, often shifting locations and tactics. Analysts say the terrain, the proliferation of small arms, and longstanding socio-economic challenges have complicated efforts to end the violence.
For many residents of Katsina State, the latest killing is a painful reminder that peace remains fragile. Community leaders have called on the federal and state governments to reassess their security strategies and ensure that rural communities and key transport routes are adequately protected.
“This is not just about one person or one family,” said a community elder in Faskari. “It is about the safety of everyone who lives and travels here. We need security that works, not promises.”
As preparations begin for the burial of the slain FRSC officer, tributes have continued to pour in from colleagues, friends, and community members who described him as a devoted son, brother, and public servant.
His death has cast a shadow over the festive season in Tafoki and neighbouring communities, turning what should have been a time of celebration into one of grief and reflection.
While authorities have yet to publicly comment in detail, residents and observers alike are watching closely to see whether this latest tragedy will prompt renewed urgency and concrete action to restore lasting security to Katsina State’s troubled communities.
