At least 12 people have been confirmed dead and an unknown number abducted following a coordinated reprisal attack by armed bandits on multiple villages in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The incident was revealed on Tuesday by counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, who shared details via his X handle.
According to Makama, intelligence sources disclosed that the attack occurred on May 5, 2025, around 1:30 p.m., in response to a recent military operation by Nigerian Army troops under Operation FANSAR YANMA, which had targeted a bandits’ camp in the Dankurmi forest.
The assailants reportedly stormed seven communities in the Dankurmi district—Zamfarawa, Kurukuru, Dogon Daji, Dan Hayin Zamfarawa, Tungar Zabo, Burmukai, and Dambawa—where they killed 12 residents and abducted others, whose whereabouts remain unknown.
“Upon receipt of the distress report, troops were alerted and have been responding decisively, as efforts to rescue the abducted victims were intensified,” Makama stated.
