18 Feared Dead as Bandits Launch Deadly Night Attack on Zamfara Communities

At least 18 people have been confirmed dead following a deadly attack by armed bandits on several communities in Zamfara State.

Residents reported that the attackers, estimated to be over 80 in number and riding on motorcycles, stormed the affected villages around 9 p.m. on Friday, opening fire indiscriminately and causing panic among locals.

Confirming the incident, the Zamfara State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mahmud Dantawasa, stated that 18 persons lost their lives while many others sustained injuries during the assault.

Reacting to the tragedy, Governor Dauda Lawal expressed deep grief, condemning the attacks on Bunkasau, Yar Galma, and Dogon Daji communities as senseless acts of violence against innocent citizens.

The governor extended his condolences to the families of the victims and ordered the immediate deployment of a high-level delegation, led by the Deputy Governor, to provide assistance and ensure that the injured receive proper medical care.

He also reassured residents of the state government’s commitment to strengthening security measures and restoring peace across affected areas.

The latest incident comes shortly after another attack in Kurfa community, located in Bukkuyum Local Government Area, where suspected bandits abducted several residents earlier in the month.

According to local police authorities, the attackers in that incident were heavily armed and operated for an extended period, firing sporadically and forcing residents to flee, with many taken to unknown locations.

Meanwhile, security forces recently recorded a breakthrough in the fight against banditry in the state. During a coordinated counter-offensive in Tsafe Local Government Area, a joint team of security personnel and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) engaged bandits in a fierce gun battle.

A security source revealed that the operation resulted in the neutralisation of over 30 suspected bandits, including Kachalla Iliya Sarki, reportedly the son of notorious bandit leader Ado Aleiro, as well as another key figure identified as Dogo Bete.

Authorities say efforts are ongoing to sustain the offensive and dismantle criminal networks operating in the region, even as communities continue to grapple with recurring attacks.