Zamfara: 12 Killed, dozens abducted in reprisal attack despite military gains

At least 12 people have lost their lives and an unspecified number abducted following a brutal reprisal attack by armed gunmen on several villages in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The deadly assault occurred just days after the Nigerian Army celebrated a major breakthrough in the fight against banditry in the region.

Troops of the 1 Brigade had reportedly neutralised five notorious bandit kingpins and recovered a cache of weapons in separate operations across Talata Mafara and Kaura Namoda LGAs.

Despite the military’s recent success, the latest attack underscores the persistent insecurity plaguing Zamfara and much of Nigeria’s northwest. Locals say the gunmen stormed the villages in a coordinated fashion, killing residents and abducting many others in what appears to be retaliation for the army’s recent operations.

The encounter resulted in the death of several insurgents, including five high-profile bandit kingpins identified as Auta Jijji, Dankali, Sagidi, Kachallah Rijaji, and Kachallah Suza.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the retaliatory attack occurred on May 5, at about 1:30pm.

The publication said the attack was a response to a recent operation by troops which targeted a bandit camp in the Dankurmi forest.

According to the report, the bandits invaded seven communities in Dankurmi district Zamfarawa, Kurukuru, Dogon Daji, Dan Hayin Zamfarawa, Tungar Zabo, Burmukai, and Dambawa — killing 12 residents and abducting others to an unknown location.

Upon receiving the distress report, troops were alerted and have been responding decisively, as efforts to rescue the abducted victims intensify.