GUNMEN in Nigeria ambushed and killed 21 government-backed fighters, authorities reported on Saturday.

The ambush took place as a convoy of pro-government fighters was returning from a funeral in the village of Baure, in the Safana district of Katsina State, when they came under fire from bandits.

Katsina police spokesman Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu said that the attack took place last Tuesday and “sadly, 21 persons were fatally shot as a result of the attack.” 

He said that police officers were working to “ensure the arrest of the perpetrators” of the attack.

The Nigerian Premium Times reported that as many as 25 people were killed during the attack and many villagers were still missing.

Nigeria’s Guardian newspaper said that the fighters were members of the state-backed Katsina Community Watch Corps (KCWC).

Katsina State is one of several states in north western and central Nigeria plagued by bandits who raid villages, kill and abduct local residents and burn and loot their homes. 

In June 2024, at least seven people were killed and 100 kidnapped when gunmen attacked a rural community in the state.

The gangs are also thought to be responsible for the mass kidnappings of students from schools in recent years.

State governor Dikko Umar Radda set up the 2,000 strong KCWC force in 2023 to assist the military and police in fighting the gangs.