Several security operatives and civilians have been killed in multiple attacks on communities in Bukkuyum, Maru and Gusau local government areas of Zamfara State in the past one week. The incidents happened as the state battled repeated attacks by armed groups operating from forests, displacing residents, destroying livelihoods and imposing levies on communities. The military, operating under Operation Fansan Yamma, has launched offensives against the armed groups, killing some of their members and rescuing dozens of kidnapped victims. Recently, the Nigerian Army activated three new infantry battalions in Zamfara as part of efforts to strengthen security operations and improve rapid response to threats across the state. Despite these measures, armed groups have continued to attack communities and travellers across the state. The latest incident happened on Sunday in Bukkuyum LGA where at least 20 security personnel and civilians were reportedly killed when bandits ambushed traders travelling from Gwashi district to Gurusu market. A resident said eight security personnel and 12 civilians were killed, while several others sustained injuries in the attack. He said the security personnel killed comprised five soldiers, two mobile policemen and an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). However, casualty figures provided by residents differed, with another source putting the number of security personnel killed at nine. The attack reportedly disrupted activities at the Sunday market in Gurusu, leaving traders and residents in fear. A resident commended the courage of security personnel operating in the area but called on the government to provide them with better equipment to confront the attackers. “As a matter of urgency, provide bulletproof vehicles to the military at the Anka-Bukkuyum axis. Our soldiers are brave, but they are exposed. How can they fight enemies with superior arms in open Hilux vans?” he asked. Troops destroy 3 IEDs Traders ambushed on Dansadau road Earlier on Saturday, traders travelling towards Dansadau in Maru LGA were reportedly ambushed by bandits, who set about 12 vehicles ablaze. A resident, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attack occurred a day after soldiers discovered improvised explosive devices (IEDs) along the road. He said the discovery apparently led some travellers to believe that the route was safe, prompting them to resume their journey. He said the convoy came under attack at a section of the road where construction work had yet to begin. “The bandits attacked them, and people opened the cars and ran for safety. Others were killed, while some survived the attack,” he said. The resident alleged that the assailants had laid an ambush and set about 12 vehicles on fire. The incident came after hundreds of commuters were reportedly stranded at Magamin Maitarko for more than eight days, resulting in substantial losses of perishable goods and livestock. A trader identified as Muhammad Salisu Dansadau lamented what he described as the lack of adequate security support for traders travelling to their communities. He said prolonged delays had led to the loss of tomatoes, pepper and livestock, while some travellers became ill and others were reduced to begging. He, however, commended residents of Magamin Maitarko for providing stranded travellers with food, water and shelter. “We are grateful for the hospitality of the people of Magamin Maitarko. They gave our people food, water and shelter for days, but their supplies have now been exhausted,” he said. Bandits kill vigilantes at Kaikaice Also on Saturday, bandits reportedly killed three members of a local vigilante group known as Askarawa and one other person in Damba district on the outskirts of Gusau, while one other member sustained gunshot wounds. A resident said the vigilantes were attacked at a village called Kaikaiche, near Karazau, after allegedly being tracked by the assailants. He suspected that informants might have disclosed the vigilantes’ movements to the attackers. According to him, the group had visited the area to harvest rice the previous day and returned safely before the assailants allegedly laid in ambush for them on their second trip. The resident alleged that four people were killed, while one survived with gunshot wounds. He added that residents spent a day and a night searching for one of the missing victims before his body was eventually found around the Yandoto axis. Attack on mining site These incidents happened the same week residents of Bindin village in Bungudu LGA claimed that nine soldiers and three mobile policemen were killed when bandits attacked a mining site and a military camp in the area. A resident, who spoke to Daily Trust on condition of anonymity, said the attack occurred last Wednesday. He blamed the attack on notorious bandit leader Gwaska Dankarami, who reportedly operates around Dangulbi in Maru LGA,
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