According to a video published by News Central on YouTube on Friday, July 3, 2026, suspected bandit leader Audu Lankai has claimed that vigilante members ambushed his fighters during a confrontation in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State, leading to a deadly clash that he said ended a peace arrangement that had lasted for more than a year.
The violence reportedly left at least 18 people dead, including 13 vigilante members, after fighting erupted in the Kadobe and Audulanka areas following reports of armed men moving through the Mount Ara district.
Lankai alleged that he mobilised his men after losing contact with fighters who had been stopped by vigilantes. “When we arrived at the scene, the vigilantes were lying in ambush, fully armed… before we knew it, they started shooting at us from all directions,” he said.
He claimed three of his fighters were killed and insisted his group only returned fire after coming under attack. Lankai also alleged that the clash ended an existing peace agreement, accusing the government of failing to fulfil commitments made during negotiations, including the release of some of his associates. His claims have not been independently verified.
