At least 12 people have been killed and an unspecified number abducted in a coordinated reprisal attack by armed bandits on several villages in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
On May 3, the Nigerian Army announced that troops of 1 Brigade neutralised “five bandit kingpins” and recovered arms in Zamfara.
The operation, which took place in Talata Mafara and Kaura Namoda LGAs, was touted as part of military efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and restore peace in the region.
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 receipt of the distress report, troops were alerted and have been responding decisively, as efforts to rescue the abducted victims were intensified,” Makama added.
In another development, five persons sustained gunshot wounds after armed bandits opened fire on a moving vehicle in Zamfara State.
According to Makama, the incident occurred on May 5, 2025, when the gunmen attempted to halt a Golf 3 car in transit. Upon the driver’s refusal to stop, the attackers began shooting at the vehicle.
“All five occupants of the car sustained varying degrees of gunshot injuries and were evacuated to the Ahmed Sani Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital for medical treatment,” the report stated.
Sources said the assailants fled the scene immediately after the attack, while security personnel who visited the area have since intensified efforts to apprehend the fleeing criminals.
Authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the incident as investigations continue.
