Bandits kill 2, abduct 60 in Zamfara in revenge for kingpins’ killings

Bandits have launched a series of attacks on several communities in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State, killing two people and abducting over 60 others in what appears to be retaliation for the recent killing of some of their warlords by security operatives.

Among the slain warlords was Kachalla Yellow (aka Dan Isuhu), who was killed about two weeks ago during a failed ambush on members of the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards deployed to Keta.

He was reportedly killed alongside his nephew-Adamu Aliero’s biological son. Aliero is Yellow’s elder brother and a known warlord.

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“He and his gang planned to ambush the guards but were met by a well-armed security team. A fierce gun battle followed, during which Yellow and several gang members were killed,” a resident said.

Another unnamed bandit leader was also reportedly killed around the same time in the area.

Since these incidents, attacks by bandits believed to be loyal to the notorious kingpin, Adamu Aliero, have escalated across Tsafe LGA.

The most recent attack occurred on Sunday in Gidan Arne village, where three residents were shot by bandits. Two died on the spot, while the third is receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

Residents confirmed that about 40 women were abducted during the assault, and several homes were set ablaze.

On the same day, another attack was launched on the Keta community. One person was killed, 11 vehicles were torched, and numerous shops were looted by the assailants.

A community leader from Tsafe, who asked not to be named, confirmed the attacks and revealed that additional coordinated assaults were carried out days earlier in Yan Doton Daji and Unguwan Chida villages.

He said 21 people were abducted-11 in Yan Doton Daji and 10 in Unguwan Chida, near Kucheri town.

“Tsafe is a soft target for bandits because of the thick forests in the area. These forests serve as hideout for some of the notorious kingpins, particularly Adamu Aliero and Dogo Gide,” he said.

Zamfara remains one of the epicentres of banditry in the North West region. Rural communities across the state have endured relentless, brutal attacks, leading to the killing and abduction of countless innocent villagers.

In many areas, bandits have imposed levies on residents before allowing them to harvest their crops.

Those who are unable or unwilling to pay often face violent reprisals, including attacks and the destruction of their means of livelihood.

Last month, six operatives of the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards, popularly known as Askarawa, along with four local vigilantes, were killed in an ambush by bandits.

The attack occurred shortly after a successful joint security operation led by the Nigerian Army in Sunke Forest, which resulted in the neutralisation of several bandits and the recovery of weapons.

In a separate incident in October 2024, nine Askarawa operatives were also ambushed and killed by bandits at a checkpoint on the outskirts of Tsafe town.

Shortly after, the Director General of the community guards, retired General Lawal B. Muhammad, was shot along the Funtua-Tsafe road but survived the attack.

In a separate incident in February 2024, scores of worshippers were abducted during an attack on a mosque in the area.

 

‘Why there are increased attacks on our communities’

A community leader offered insight into the reason behind the renewed wave of violence.

According to him, the attacks are acts of vengeance for the recent losses suffered by the bandits.

“Security operatives have recorded some successes in ongoing operations against the bandits, especially in our forests. They eliminated several key leaders, including Isuhu Yellow, known for his brutality and bloodlust.

“He was the younger brother of Adamu Aliero. These retaliatory attacks are being orchestrated by Aliero’s loyalists,” he said.

Another local source corroborated the claim, saying the attacks are directly linked to the killing of Dan-Isuhu and Aliero’s son.

Efforts to reach the Zamfara State Commissioner for Internal Security, retired Captain Bala Mairiga, were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or text messages.

Similarly, the Police Public Relations Officer in Zamfara State, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said he would contact the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Tsafe and revert-but no update was received as of the time of filing this report.

 

Lakurawa kills 2 fishermen, 1 farmer in Sokoto

Suspected members of the Lakurawa armed group have killed two fishermen and a farmer in an attack on Sanyinna village in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The attackers, who reportedly rode in on multiple motorcycles from a nearby forest, struck around 11 am on Tuesday.

The victims have been identified as Zubairu Kusugu, Aminu Ibrahim, and Salisu Dangwati.

Local sources said the victims were engaged in their regular fishing activities when the assailants ambushed them, cutting their lives short in a brutal assault.

The incident occurred barely a day after similar attacks were reported in the neighbouring villages of Sutti and Takkau within the same local government area, where two individuals sustained gunshot injuries.

Confirming the incidents, Garzali Raka, Special Assistant on Security to the Tangaza Council Chairman, said the assailants also stole several livestock-including cows, camels, sheep, and goats-during Monday’s attacks.

When contacted, the spokesman of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, confirmed the incident.

He said the command is actively pursuing the attackers and vowed that they will be brought to justice in no distant time.

 

Gunmen invade Kebbi varsity hostel, abduct student, kill herder

Gunmen invaded the Istijaba Villa off-campus student hostel of the Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK) in Unguwar Jeji, Kalgo LGA of Kebbi State, in the early hours of Tuesday, abducting a 23-year-old student and killing a herder.

The victim, Augustine Madubiya, a 400-level Economics student, was abducted while sleeping outside his hostel room due to the heat.

Another student, Collaneous Steven, a 200-level Business Administration student, however, managed to escape the attack.

The attackers, believed to be five in number, reportedly stormed the hostel, demanding money from the students.

When their demands were not met, they physically assaulted the students and took Augustine away to an undisclosed location.

A herder, identified as Malam Siddi Hussaini, who was tending his cows near the hostel, was shot dead while attempting to rescue the students during the invasion.

Reacting to the incident, Ahmed Idris, the Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, said Governor Nasir Idris had directed the Director of Security at the Cabinet Office, Abdulrahman Zagga, to collaborate with security agencies to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted student.

He added that the state’s anti-terrorism unit had already swung into action.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Kebbi, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, said security personnel had been mobilised, and a joint operation was ongoing to track the abductors and rescue the victim.

The university’s Head of Information and Public Relations, Malam Jamilu Mohammed Magaji, confirmed that the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Muhammad Zaiyan Umar, had visited the scene.