Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A young boy from Magami town in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State has made a heartbreaking declaration: he wants to join the Nigerian Army when he grows up to avenge the killing of his father, a farmer who was murdered by bandits before his eyes, a painful glimpse into the lasting trauma inflicted on children in communities ravaged by years of banditry and violence.
In a video that has since gone viral on social media, the boy, believed to be about 10 years old, is seen speaking about his father's death with a chilling mixture of grief and resolve. He recounted how bandits attacked their home and killed his father in his presence, and his mother, who tried to intervene, was also shot in the leg during the attack. The boy, now left with the trauma of watching his father die, expressed a desire to fight the bandits and avenge his father's death, a sentiment that underscores the deep psychological wounds inflicted on children growing up in conflict zones.
The video, shared widely across social media platforms on Monday, June 23, 2026, has drawn widespread attention and sparked conversations about the devastating impact of banditry on families and children in Zamfara State. In the footage, the boy is seen standing beside his mother, who bears visible signs of injury, as he speaks about the attack. "They came and killed my father in front of me. I want to join the Army to fight them. I will kill them like they killed my father," he said, his voice trembling with emotion.
The boy's mother, who was also wounded during the attack, told reporters that her husband was a farmer who was killed by bandits while working on his farm. She said the attackers also shot her in the leg, and she is still receiving treatment for her injuries. The attack is one of many in Zamfara State, where bandits have terrorised rural communities for years, killing farmers, kidnapping residents, and displacing thousands of families.
The boy's story has resonated deeply with many Nigerians, who have expressed outrage and sorrow over the trauma inflicted on children in the conflict-affected region. Some have called on the government to provide psychological support for children like him, while others have lamented the cycle of violence that continues to claim innocent lives and scar the next generation.
"This is the reality of insecurity in Zamfara. Children are being raised with nothing but hatred and a thirst for revenge. The government must act now to end this madness," one social media user wrote. Another commented: "This boy's resolve to join the army shows how the system of banditry and terrorism is creating a new generation of fighters. If we don't address the root causes, we will have more children like him."
The video has also drawn attention to the growing number of children who have been orphaned or traumatised by bandit attacks in Zamfara and other parts of the North-West. According to a report by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), more than 50,000 children in the region have been affected by conflict and violence, with many experiencing displacement, loss of family members, and psychological distress.
While security agencies continue to battle banditry in the North-West, the story of this young boy from Magami has become a powerful symbol of the need for urgent action to protect vulnerable children and break the cycle of violence that continues to consume the region. For the boy, the path to healing remains uncertain. But for now, his words will echo long after the cameras stop rolling, a stark reminder of the price communities in Zamfara continue to pay in the heart of a relentless and brutal conflict.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com ✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments