Deadly Bandit Attacks Ravage Zamfara Communities: 18 Killed, Homes Burned, Residents Abducted

In what residents describe as one of the deadliest nights in recent months, multiple villages across Tsafe Local Government Area in Zamfara State, Nigeria, came under coordinated bandit attacks on Tuesday evening. The violence, which swept through Gidan Dawa, Gangara, Tsagero, and Marke, left families devastated, homes destroyed, and communities gripped by fear.

According to early reports shared by local sources and eyewitnesses, at least 18 people were killed, several others injured, and multiple homes and public structures set ablaze. The region, already burdened by years of insecurity, now faces yet another humanitarian and security setback.

Gidan Dawa: Four Confirmed Dead After Brutal Night Raid

The attack on Gidan Dawa began shortly after nightfall. Gunmen reportedly stormed the village, shooting indiscriminately as residents fled into nearby bushes. A total of 10 people were shot, with 4 confirmed dead. Survivors say the attackers moved with precision, blocking escape routes and firing at anyone in sight.

Local vigilante members attempted to repel the assault but were overwhelmed by the attackers’ firepower. Several of the injured remain in critical condition, prompting urgent calls for medical support.

Gangara: School and Home Set Ablaze, Three Killed

In Gangara, the gunmen carried out simultaneous acts of violence and destruction. At least 3 people were killed, and both a community school and a residential building were set on fire, further destabilizing the village.

Parents and teachers say the burning of the school represents a devastating blow to the community, where children already struggle with disrupted learning due to insecurity. The deliberate destruction of learning spaces has sparked fresh conversations around the protection of education in conflict regions.

Tsagero: Six Killed, Several Injured

Residents of Tsagero reported that the attackers arrived in large numbers, opening fire without warning. At least 6 people were killed, while 3 others were injured in the chaos that followed.

Many families fled to nearby farmlands and forests, spending the night in hiding. Humanitarian groups warn that repeated displacement is putting residents at greater risk of hunger, trauma, and long-term instability.

Marke: Five Killed, Three Abducted

The village of Marke saw equally harrowing scenes. Five residents were killed, and at least three people were abducted during the raid. The abductees include two young men and a woman, according to community members.

Families of those kidnapped fear they may be taken into forest camps where armed groups often hold victims for ransom. Negotiations, they say, may take weeks or months—if they begin at all.

A Community on Edge: “When Will This End?”

Across Tsafe LGA, residents say they feel abandoned, overwhelmed, and desperate for relief. Many have lost farms, livestock, or relatives to years of attacks, while others survive under constant fear of the next raid.

Civil society groups and security analysts warn that without sustained government intervention, the cycle of violence could escalate further, threatening livelihoods, education, and local economies.

Community leaders are appealing for:

• Reinforced security presence.
• Emergency medical support for the injured.
• Trauma counseling for affected families.
• Humanitarian aid for displaced residents.

The recurring violence in Zamfara underscores the broader challenge of insecurity across parts of northern Nigeria. As the death toll rises and more families are displaced, urgent national attention and long-term security reforms are critical to restoring stability.

For now, grieving communities in Tsafe LGA are left grappling with the same painful question: “When will this persistent cycle of violence come to an end?”