Bandits Launch Reprisal Attacks in Zamfara, Burn Shops and Rustle Livestock
Fresh Violence Erupts in Yar Tashar Sahabi Village
Bandits launched a fresh wave of violent reprisal attacks on Tuesday, setting shops ablaze and stealing livestock in Yar Tashar Sahabi, a village in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The early morning raid is believed to be retaliation for the recent killing of several bandits by local vigilantes.
Residents Describe Dawn Attack
“They came at dawn, torched our shops and vehicles, and made away with our animals,” a distressed resident told Daily Trust. According to eyewitness accounts, the vigilante group had previously ambushed and killed numerous armed bandits on Sunday while recovering stolen cattle.
Security Forces Respond Swiftly
Security forces stationed in nearby Magami responded quickly to the attack, successfully repelling the bandits before they could inflict further damage. This intervention prevented what could have been an even more devastating assault on the vulnerable community.
Pattern of Retaliatory Violence in Zamfara
This incident marks the latest in a series of retaliatory attacks by armed groups across Zamfara State. In Tsafe LGA, several villages have faced similar coordinated assaults in what locals describe as an escalating cycle of violence.
Recent Attacks Across the Region
Earlier this month, bandits targeted Keta village following the killing of notorious gang leader Dan Isuhu. That attack left one resident dead, with 11 vehicles burned and multiple shops looted. On the same day, gunmen struck Gidan Arne village, shooting three people and abducting over 40 women.
Tragically, two victims died at the scene, while the third remains hospitalized at an undisclosed medical facility. Several homes were completely destroyed during these violent raids.
Police Response
When contacted about the Yar Tashan Sahabi attack, DSP Yazid Abubakar, spokesman for the Zamfara State Police Command, stated he had no immediate knowledge of the incident. He promised to contact the Divisional Officer in charge of Maru for details, but no update was provided by the time this report was filed.