Nearly 20 Feared Dead After Violent Clash and Reprisal Attack in Zamfara’s Tsafe LGA

Nearly 20 Feared Dead After Violent Clash and Reprisal Attack in Zamfara’s Tsafe LGA

Nearly 20 people are feared dead following a violent confrontation and subsequent reprisal attack in Ware village, Keta ward of Tsafe Local Government Area, Zamfara State, according to local sources.

Residents said the crisis began yesterday evening when a suspected bandit allegedly snatched a mobile phone from a villager. Community members reportedly confronted the suspect in an attempt to retrieve the device. During the altercation, the suspect allegedly opened fire, killing the phone’s owner on the spot. The armed suspect was subsequently overpowered and killed by enraged residents.

What began as an isolated confrontation quickly escalated. Witnesses said an alleged accomplice of the slain suspect managed to escape and later mobilized other armed bandits. According to community accounts, the bandits returned to Ware village in larger numbers and launched a coordinated reprisal attack, firing indiscriminately at residents.

The combined fatalities from the initial clash and the subsequent retaliatory assault are estimated to be close to 20. However, as of the time of this report, security agencies and state authorities have not released an official casualty figure. The absence of confirmed numbers has heightened tension, with families continuing to account for missing relatives.

Residents in neighboring communities alleged that after carrying out the reprisal attack, the bandits prevented families from retrieving the bodies of victims for Islamic burial rites. They also reportedly blocked access roads leading into the village, restricting movement in and out of the area and effectively isolating the community.

The situation has deepened fear across parts of Tsafe LGA, a region that has experienced repeated incidents linked to armed groups and bandit networks operating in Zamfara State. Locals described the attack as swift and devastating, with many fleeing into nearby bushes and settlements to escape gunfire.

As of press time, there has been no comprehensive official statement from the Zamfara State Police Command or other security authorities detailing operational responses, arrests or reinforcements deployed to the area. Residents have called for urgent intervention, including the restoration of access routes and enhanced security presence to prevent further attacks.

Zamfara State has remained one of the epicenters of bandit-related violence in northwestern Nigeria, with rural communities frequently exposed to reprisals, kidnappings and armed raids. The latest incident in Ware village underscores the volatility of local confrontations that can rapidly escalate into broader violence involving organized armed groups.

Community leaders are appealing for immediate security reinforcement and humanitarian support, as families grapple with loss and uncertainty amid restricted access to their village.

📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews