Armed bandits have killed at least two persons and abducted over 60 others in a series of coordinated attacks across communities in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The attacks, which residents say are reprisals for the killing of some notorious warlords by security operatives, have left communities in fear and devastation.
One of the slain bandit leaders, Kachalla Yellow, also known as Dan Isuhu, was reportedly killed during a botched ambush on Zamfara State Community Protection Guards in Keta about two weeks ago. He died alongside his nephew, the son of another notorious warlord, Adamu Aliero.
Residents told our correspondent that following the deaths, loyalists of the slain bandits launched fresh attacks, with the most recent occurring on Sunday in Gidan Arne village, where two people were shot dead and about 40 women abducted. Another victim is receiving treatment after sustaining gunshot wounds.
The same day, Keta community was also invaded, leading to the killing of one person, the burning of 11 vehicles, and the looting of shops.
Further attacks were reported in Yan Doton Daji and Unguwan Chida villages, where a total of 21 people were kidnapped.
“Tsafe is vulnerable because of the dense forests that harbour kingpins like Aliero and Dogo Gide,” a community leader said.
Zamfara State has remained a hotspot for banditry in Nigeria’s North-West, with rural residents routinely subjected to killings, abductions, and extortion.
In Sokoto State, suspected members of the Lakurawa armed group killed two fishermen and a farmer in Sanyinna village of Tangaza LGA on Tuesday. Local officials confirmed that livestock were also stolen in nearby villages during earlier attacks.
Meanwhile, in Kebbi State, gunmen stormed a student hostel of the Federal University Birnin Kebbi, abducting a 23-year-old Economics student, Augustine Madubiya, and killing a herder who tried to intervene.
Kebbi State authorities said a manhunt is underway to rescue the student. The Vice-Chancellor of the university has also visited the affected hostel.
Police in all three states have confirmed the incidents and assured that efforts to track the perpetrators are ongoing.
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