In northwestern Nigeria, gangsters and armed violence continues to intensify, with multiple attacks reported in Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states, killing dozens of people, kidnapping and destruction of communities.
Daily Trust reported that in Zamfara state, bandits launched a deadly attack in the TSAFE local government area, killing at least two people and kidnapping more than 60 people. The attacks are believed to be revenge on the killing of the supreme gangster warlords by security agents including Kachalla Yellow, including Dan Isuhu, who died in a failed ambush by the Zamfara State Community Protection Guard in Keta. He was killed next to his nephew, the son of the infamous Kingpin Adamu Aliero. Another unnamed robber leader was reportedly eliminated in another operation at the same time.
Apparently, the gunman loyal to Arioro increased the attack. Bandits attacked the village of Gidan Arne on Sunday, killing two residents and injuring another. About 40 women were kidnapped and several houses were burning. The Keta community suffered another attack on the same day, one person was killed, 11 cars were burned and the store was robbed.
Other coordinated raids occurred between Yan Doton Daji and Unguwan Chida, where 21 people were kidnapped, 11 in Yan Doton Daji and 10 near the town of Kucheri. A community leader said the dense forest around TSAFE made the area a stronghold for Kingpins such as Aliero and Dogo Gide, allowing them to operate without punishment. The bandits also charged farmers with levies, threatening to threaten violence if they refuse to pay before harvesting the crops.
Zamfara has been ruthlessly attacked over the past year. Six members of the Community Protection Guard were killed in an ambush after a military-led operation at Sunke Forest last month. Nine guards were ambushed and killed near TSAFE in October 2024, and soon after their Director General was retired, and the retired General Lawal B. Muhammad was shot dead but survived. In February, dozens of believers were kidnapped in an attack on a mosque in the area.
Efforts to reach national security officials to comment on the recent surge in violence were unsuccessful as the appeals and messages to the internal security commissioner, retired Captain Bala Mairiga has not been answered. DSP Yazid Abubakar, a police public relations official in the state, said he would recover after contacting TSAFE’s department police but did not receive any updates.
In Sokoto State, alleged members of the Lakurava armed group killed two fishermen and a farmer in the Tangaza LGA. The attackers rode motorcycles in the nearby forest and attacked Tuesday morning, killing Zubairu Kusugu, Aminu Ibrahim and Salisu Dangwati. The incident happened after a similar attack in the villages of Sutti and Takkau, where two other people were injured and stole the livestock. Garzali Raka, security aide to the president of the Tangaza Council, confirmed the attack. Sokoto Police Department spokesman DSP Ahmed Rufai also confirmed the murder and said the attackers would be brought to justice.
In Kebbi State, gunmen invaded an off-campus hotel at Birnin Kebbi, the Federal University of Cargo, kidnapped Augustine Madubiya, a 400-level economics student, and killed local herders. The attack occurred early Tuesday, with Augustine sleeping outside due to heat. Steven, who collided with another student, escaped. After the attacker demanded money and fled with Augustine, he attacked the student. Herder Malam Siddi Hussaini was shot dead while trying to rescue a student.
Governor Nasir Idris has ordered immediate action by security agencies to ensure Augustine’s safe reward. The state’s anti-terrorism department is reportedly in the process of a case. Police spokesman CSP Nafiu Abubakar confirmed that joint operations were underway and the university’s vice president, Professor Muhammad Zaiyan Umar, visited the scene.
These coordinated attacks underlined the deterioration of security situations across the region, with civilians trapped in the firefighting that deepened criminal insurgency.
