Zamfara: Bandits kill 12, abduct many villagers in reprisal attack

At least 12 people have been killed and an unspecified number abducted in a coordinated reprisal attack by armed bandits on several villages in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert focused on the Lake Chad region, disclosed this in a post on his X handle on Tuesday.

Makama stated that intelligence sources told him that the attack, which occurred on May 5, 2025, at about 1:30 p.m., followed a recent operation by Nigerian Army troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA that targeted a bandits’ camp in the Dankurmi forest.

According to the report, the bandits stormed seven communities in the 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 receipt of the distress report, troops were alerted and have been responding decisively, as efforts to rescue the abducted victims were intensified,” Makama added.

Zamfara: Bandits kill 12, abduct many villagers in reprisal attack