According to local sources, the bandits launched coordinated assaults on 16 villages between Saturday and Sunday, leaving destruction and fear in their wake.
A wave of deadly attacks by bandits has left at least five people dead and scores of others, mostly women, abducted in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
According to local sources, the bandits launched coordinated assaults on 16 villages between Saturday and Sunday, leaving destruction and fear in their wake.
A resident, who pleaded anonymity, told DailyTrust that, “On Saturday, the armed bandits invaded eight villages, namely Dan Isa, Kyatawa, Tudu, Gidan Haruna, Tsunburburawa, Gidan Juli, Tokarawa, and Gidan Bako.”
The attacks continued the following day. “Also, on Sunday, the bandits attacked Kwalau village and killed four people – Abubakar, Murtala, Aminu, and Bello – while another resident, Ashafa, sustained gunshot injuries to his waist and jaw. He was rushed to the Kaura Namoda General Hospital for medical treatment,” the resident added.
In a disturbing escalation, the bandits stormed a village on Saturday night, using it as a route to launch further attacks on surrounding communities. However, local vigilantes confronted the gang on their return.
“Our local security operatives blocked the main entrance to the village and engaged the bandits in a gun battle. The exchange of gunfire lasted for nearly 30 minutes before the bandits eventually retreated,” the resident said.
But the reprieve was short‑lived. At about 10am on Sunday, the attackers returned with reinforcements, this time targeting the vigilante members directly.
“They went straight to the usual gathering point of the vigilante group and opened fire. Four vigilante members were killed, and another was injured. The attackers also abducted several women and made away with valuables, including food items and household belongings,” he added.
While residents are still counting their losses and searching for missing relatives, many believe the number of those abducted could rise.
“However, in neighbouring villages, the bandits abducted several people, mostly women. As of now, we cannot determine the exact number of those abducted, as some residents are still hiding in the bush, making it difficult to ascertain the full scale of the incident,” another local said.
In the course of the raids, the bandits also looted livestock and goods from local shops. “In the neighbouring villages of Gidan Juji and Gidan Bako, the bandits rustled a large number of domestic animals. While we have not received reports of abductions in those particular communities, information reaching us indicates they carted away numerous animals, including sheep, goats, and cows.”
“Also, in Kyatawa village, the bandits looted goods worth thousands of naira after breaking into several provision shops. The residents of the village fled for their lives when the bandits stormed the area.”
Amid rising tension, residents expressed frustration over what they see as a lack of government response.
“Hardly a day passes without an attack on one or two villages. The situation has gotten out of control. The bandits are carrying out their heinous activities unchecked in this axis, as though there are no security personnel in the state.
“We are appealing to the government to come to our aid by deploying adequate security personnel to the affected areas to protect us.”
SaharaReporters’ attempts to reach Yazio Abubakar, the Zamfara Police PRO proved abortive as he failed to pick his calls nor respond to a text message sent to his line.
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