Suspected bandits have killed two children and two other residents while abducting several people in a series of attacks across Zamfara State.
The coordinated assaults took place between Sunday night and Monday morning, February 24, 2025, in Gusau and Bukuyyum local government areas.
According to counter-insurgency expert and security analyst, Zagazola Makama in a post on X on Tuesday, armed men stormed Shemori Village, Mada District at about 8:30pm on Sunday and kidnapped six women.
It was also gathered that among abducted victims is the Vice Chairman of Bukkuyum Local Government Area, Hon. Bala Muhammad Majidadi.
Hours later, early Monday morning, another group of gunmen invaded Kairu Community in Zugu District, killing two residents and abducting an unspecified number of people.
In Gusau LGA’s Mada Town, the attackers targeted Hayin Bajumi, where they set ablaze the house of one Aliyu Usman.
The fire claimed the lives of his two children, five-year-old Ishaq Aliyu and two-year-old Jafar Aliyu.
The assailants also kidnapped Usman’s neighbour’s wife along with her one-year-old baby before fleeing the scene.
In a related development, the Defence Headquarters has urged villagers in Sokoto State to ignore the N25m levy demanded by bandits kingpin, Turji Bello.
The DHQ assured the villagers of protection, urging them not to yield to the bandit leader’s threat, as the military were hot on his track and he would soon be eliminated.
The Chief of Defence Operations, Maj. Gen. Emeka Onumajuru, gave the assurance on Monday during an appearance on Channels Television.
Turji has been in hiding after fleeing from Zamfara State during one of the military operations targeted at him by troops in January.
As a result, the military called him a coward for abandoning his son and fighters during the gun battle.
However, a member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly representing Sabon Birni Local Government, Aminu Boza, told journalists last week that Turji had resurfaced in Sokoto State and imposed a N25m levy on villages.
Boza also said Turji had set up camp in a forest in the Isa Local Government Area.
Speaking on Monday, however, the Chief of Defence Operations, stated that the military was not treating Turji’s issue with kids gloves.
Onumajuru advised residents to resist any form of extortion by bandits, stressing that military personnel are on the ground to ensure their safety.
“Talking about Bello Turji imposing fines, remember I did talk about protecting vulnerable communities. Now, the communities need to believe that the Armed Forces are protecting them, and when they believe that, it’s a question of calling anybody that asks you for protection money or ransom money bluff because the Armed Forces is there to protect you.
“So, I want to ask the communities now through your medium, do not accede to request for protection levy in whatever form because we have troops who guarantee farms security, who open space to go about your normal activities.”
The defence chief said Turji was still hiding, adding that the troops were on his trail.
He said, “First, I need to let you know that there is absolutely no forth and back between Bello Turji and the Armed Forces.
“As I speak, Bello Turji is hiding, completely in hiding, and the Armed Forces are tracking him. The Armed Forces continuously track him, and very soon, he will be eliminated,” Onumajuru stated.
