At least 22 people, including four soldiers, have been killed in separate bandit attacks in Zamfara State, while more than 400 residents have fled their communities following repeated assaults in the state’s Dansadau axis.
The Guardian reports that the 22 victims were killed along the Gwashi-Nassarawa axis of Bukkuyum Local Government Area when armed bandits ambushed soldiers and other victims on Sunday.
Hamisu Faru, the lawmaker representing Bukkuyum in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, confirmed the killings, saying the soldiers were on duty when the terrorists attacked.
He added that the bodies of some victims had yet to be recovered as of the time of filing the report.
The Media Information Officer of Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt.-Col. Aliyu Danja, also confirmed the incident to journalists in Gusau.
Bandits impose N50m levy on communities
In a separate wave of attacks, three communities in the Dansadau axis of Maru Local Government Area have reportedly been deserted following repeated assaults by armed bandits.
More than 400 residents were said to have fled the affected communities, while the attackers reportedly set more than 12 vehicles ablaze.
Despite the destruction, the bandits allegedly imposed a levy of N50 million on the communities, adding to the hardship faced by residents.
The attacks have heightened concerns about the security of rural communities in Zamfara, where armed groups have continued to target residents and confront security personnel.
Reacting to the incidents, the Zamfara State chapter of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) condemned the attacks and expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation.
In a statement issued by its State Publicity Secretary, Kassim Kayatawa, the party urged the Federal Government and the Zamfara State Government to urgently deploy additional security personnel to vulnerable communities in Dansadau, Bukkuyum and other identified flashpoints.
The military also reported the destruction of two vehicles and approximately 20 motorcycles allegedly used by the insurgents for mobility, logistics and offensive operations.
The fighters were identified as members of ISWAP’s Murabitun element, a specialised mobile unit reportedly responsible for patrols, coordinating attacks and sustaining the group’s operations in the area.
The contrasting developments underscore the continuing security challenges facing Nigeria, with communities in the North-West suffering deadly bandit attacks even as military operations target insurgent formations in the North-East.
