Bandits Kill Four, Abduct LG Vice Chairman and Scores in Zamfara Communities
Bandits have unleashed a wave of violence in Zamfara State, killing four people and abducting the Vice Chairman of Bukkuyyum Local Government Area, Hon. Bala Muhammad Maijidadi, along with scores of others. The coordinated attacks, which occurred between Sunday night and Monday morning, have left several communities in Gusau and Zugu districts in shock and mourning.
Details of the Attacks
According to reports, the bandits launched their first attack on Shemori community in Mada District, Gusau, at approximately 9:20 p.m. on Sunday. During the raid, six women were kidnapped, and the assailants fled into the night. Early Monday morning, another group of bandits stormed Kairu community in Zugu District, killing two locals and abducting an unspecified number of people.
In a separate incident in Mada town, Gusau District, the bandits targeted Hayin Bajumi, where they set fire to the house of Aliyu Usman. Tragically, the fire claimed the lives of Usman’s two young children, five-year-old Ishaq Aliyu and two-year-old Jafar Aliyu. The attackers also abducted Usman’s neighbor’s wife and her one-year-old baby before fleeing the scene.
Communities in Grief
The attacks have left the affected communities in a state of grief and despair. Nasiru Adamu, a villager who spoke to DAILY POST, described the situation as dire. “The bandits came in large numbers, and there was nothing we could do to stop them. They took our people and left us mourning the dead,” he said.
The abduction of Hon. Bala Muhammad Maijidadi, the Vice Chairman of Bukkuyyum Local Government Area, has added to the gravity of the situation. As a local government official, his kidnapping underscores the brazenness of the bandits and their disregard for authority.
No Official Statement from Police
Efforts to obtain a response from the Zamfara State Police Command were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report. The State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Yazeed Abubakar, could not be reached for comment, leaving many questions unanswered about the measures being taken to address the escalating insecurity in the state.
A Growing Crisis
The latest attacks are part of a broader pattern of banditry and violence that has plagued Zamfara State and other parts of northwestern Nigeria. Bandits, often heavily armed, have terrorized rural communities, killing, abducting, and displacing thousands of people. Despite efforts by security forces to curb their activities, the bandits continue to operate with impunity, exploiting the region’s vast forests and rugged terrain.
Calls for Action
The recent spate of violence has renewed calls for urgent action to address the security crisis in Zamfara State. Residents and stakeholders are urging the federal and state governments to deploy more resources and personnel to protect vulnerable communities and dismantle the bandit networks.
“We cannot continue to live in fear. The government must take decisive action to end this nightmare,” said a community leader in Gusau who preferred to remain anonymous.
A Plea for Help
As the affected communities mourn their losses and pray for the safe return of their abducted loved ones, the need for a comprehensive and sustainable solution to the insecurity in Zamfara State has never been more urgent. The federal and state governments, in collaboration with security agencies, must prioritize the safety and well-being of citizens and restore peace to the region.
For now, the people of Zamfara remain resilient but fearful, hoping that the authorities will act swiftly to bring an end to the relentless violence that has disrupted their lives and claimed too many innocent victims.
