Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Zamfara State, Nigeria — In a violent raid late last night, armed bandits stormed the Yar Kofoji community in Bakura Local Government Area of Zamfara State, leaving at least two residents wounded and a number of others abducted, according to initial eyewitness reports and local sources. The assault, part of a continuing wave of insecurity across Nigeria’s northwest, has sparked alarm among families in the region and intensified calls for stronger protective measures.
Residents in Yar Kofoji described the sudden outbreak of gunfire and chaos as gunmen on motorcycles descended on the community shortly after dusk. Villagers recounted that the attackers, believed to be part of organised criminal gangs operating in the forests and rural areas of Zamfara, fired sporadically into the air before rounding up residents and forcing them into nearby bushland.
“The gunmen came swiftly and without warning,” said a local who escaped the raid. “They shot into the air and before people could hide, they were taking them one after the other.”
By early this morning, confirmed information from community leaders indicated that at least two people had sustained injuries from stray bullets and during attempts to flee. Several others remain unaccounted for, with families reporting loved ones missing after being seized by the assailants.
Although an official casualty and abduction count has not been released by security authorities, the incident fits into a troubling pattern of violent banditry in Zamfara State — a region long beset by criminal gangs that engage in mass kidnappings, cattle rustling, and deadly raids on villages. In similar attacks across the state in recent months, hundreds of residents have been kidnapped, sometimes in large numbers, during assaults on rural communities. In one such attack in July 2025, more than 100 people, including women and children, were abducted from a community in northern Zamfara as gunmen laid siege to homes for nearly two hours before escaping with captives into surrounding forests.
The authorities have yet to release an official statement on last night’s attack in Yar Kofoji. Historically, responses from the Zamfara State Police Command and Nigerian security forces have included dispatching patrol units and sometimes joint operations with vigilante groups to pursue kidnappers, free captives, or secure affected communities. Despite these efforts, banditry has remained deeply entrenched, with local officials and residents repeatedly expressing frustration over the pace and effectiveness of security reinforcements.
Zamfara’s governor and federal security agencies have previously launched initiatives aimed at curbing the surge in violence, including collaborations with local vigilante networks and deployment of specialised task forces. Yet, attacks continue to raise questions about intelligence capabilities, rural protection strategies, and the sustainability of current security policies.
The ongoing crisis in Zamfara reflects broader dynamics affecting Nigeria’s northwest region, where criminal groups exploit vast forested areas that span multiple states. These areas provide refuge and operational bases for bandit gangs, enabling them to strike with relative impunity and then retreat before significant security countermeasures can be deployed. In addition to physical insecurity, the kidnappers often demand ransoms, severely impacting the socioeconomic stability of rural populations already grappling with limited resources.
Communities in Bakura, like many across Zamfara, have endured repeated attacks over the past years. In previous incidents, bandits have not only abducted residents but also demolished homes, looted food supplies, and seized livestock — undermining livelihoods and forcing scores of families into displacement. Last year alone, multiple villages in the state experienced mass kidnappings and violent raids, compelling local leaders to plead for urgent government intervention.
Human rights advocates and civil society organisations have condemned the perpetuation of such violence, urging both state and federal governments to reinforce security presence, improve early-warning systems, and address underlying drivers of criminality, including economic deprivation and unemployment. They have also called for greater investment in community policing and partnerships that enhance trust between villagers and formal security apparatus.
For families in Yar Kofoji, the immediate priority remains the safe return of those abducted and the stabilization of their community. Relatives of missing residents have mobilised to share information and coordinate with local authorities, while some neighbours have taken shelter in adjoining towns as fear of follow‑up attacks persists.
Healthcare workers in nearby clinics reported receiving the two injured victims earlier this morning. Medical personnel said the wounds ranged from gunshot grazes to injuries sustained in the panic that unfolded as families fled their homes. The injured were stabilised and continue to receive care, although long‑term support may be necessary for their full recovery.
The national government has faced mounting pressure from citizens and international observers to deploy more effective counter‑insurgency resources and to review current strategies that have thus far failed to stem the tide of bandit‑related violence. Ideas under discussion among policymakers include enhanced aerial surveillance, intelligence‑sharing with local communities, and socioeconomic programs designed to reduce the appeal of criminal gang membership among youth in vulnerable regions.
As dawn broke over Yar Kofoji this morning, remnants of last night’s violence were palpable: scorched ground, abandoned belongings, and groups of villagers emerging cautiously from hiding places to assess the damage. For many, the trauma of the attack will linger long after physical wounds heal.
The tragic incident underscores the persistent challenges facing millions of Nigerians living amid insecurity. It also highlights the urgent need for comprehensive, sustainable solutions that protect civilians, strengthen state authority in remote areas, and bring lasting peace to regions plagued by banditry.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments