BREAKING: 4 Soldiers Among 22 Killed As Zamfara Bandits Ambush Residents, Impose N50m Levy

At least 22 people, including four soldiers, have been killed in a bandits’ ambush along the Gwashi-Nasarawa road in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State, while residents of three villages in the Dansadau axis have been displaced following separate attacks.

The attackers also reportedly imposed a N50 million levy on communities in the Dansadau axis after setting ablaze 12 vehicles and sacking three villages.

The member representing Bukkuyum in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Hon. Hamisu Faru, confirmed the ambush, saying the victims were attacked on Sunday while the soldiers were on duty in the area.

He said the bodies of some of the victims were yet to be recovered as of press time.

The Information Officer of Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, also confirmed the military casualties to LEADERSHIP in an exclusive interview on Monday morning.

In the separate attacks in the Dansadau axis, more than 300 residents were reportedly displaced after bandits attacked three villages, burnt 12 vehicles and imposed the N50 million levy on the affected communities.

Meanwhile, the Zamfara State chapter of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned the attacks, describing the security situation in the state as deteriorating.

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its Publicity Secretary, Kassim Almustapha Kayatawa, the party commiserated with the families of the victims, including the fallen soldiers.

“The NDC Zamfara State chapter, under the leadership of Alhaji Surajo Garba Maikatako, condemns in strong terms the barbaric attacks in Dansadau and Bukkuyum and mourns the victims,” the statement said.

The party called on the federal government and the Zamfara State Government to urgently deploy more security personnel to vulnerable communities in Dansadau, Bukkuyum and other flashpoints.

It also urged both governments to adopt a comprehensive strategy to address banditry and prevent further attacks in the state.

The NDC criticised Governor Dauda Lawal over his reported trip to Ethiopia while the state was mourning the victims, urging him to cut short the visit and return to address the security situation.

“While the people are being attacked, the governor is said to be in Ethiopia as part of a federal government delegation. We call on him to cut short the trip and return to address the security challenges,” the party said.

The party further urged security agencies to intensify operations to restore peace and prevent further loss of lives and property.

Efforts to obtain a reaction from the Zamfara State Police Command were unsuccessful as of press time.