Gunmen ‘kill 12, abduct several residents’ in Zamfara reprisal attack

At least 12 people were killed and an unspecified number abducted as gunmen orchestrated a coordinated reprisal attack on several villages in Maru LGA 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 receiving the distress report, troops were alerted and have been responding decisively, as efforts to rescue the abducted victims intensify.