“They Killed All My Friends; I Pretended to Be Dead Until They Left — Now I Walk With Crutches,” Says Katsina Attack Survivor Imrana Shafi’u

In a heart-wrenching account published by Daily Trust on Thursday, July 31, 2025, Imrana Shafi’u, a resident of Anguwar Dan Marka in Katsina State, relived the terrifying ordeal that almost took his life during a brutal attack by armed bandits.

Imrana recalled that the assault came suddenly, catching everyone off guard. He and a group of his close friends had gathered in the village when the attackers struck, firing indiscriminately and throwing the community into chaos. As villagers scrambled for safety, Imrana and his friends found themselves directly in the line of fire.

Tragically, his friends were all killed in the onslaught. Imrana, however, survived—though barely. He was shot twice in the legs and collapsed, unable to flee. To avoid further harm, he lay completely still, pretending to be dead as the gunmen moved through the area, ensuring no survivors remained. His ability to remain calm in that moment, he believes, saved his life.

After the assailants eventually left, other residents discovered Imrana among the lifeless bodies and rushed him to safety. Though alive, he suffered devastating injuries that have left him permanently disabled. Today, he moves with the aid of crutches and depends on consistent medical treatment.

“The bandits killed all my friends that day. I pretended to be dead until they left. I now walk with crutches,” he said.

The trauma of that attack continues to haunt Imrana—not just the physical toll, but the emotional weight of losing his closest companions and the sense of security that once came with village life. His story underscores the deep human cost of the persistent violence in northern Nigeria.