Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have rescued five family members of the Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Nura Umar Abdullahi after a terrorist attack on his residence while efforts are ongoing to secure his release.

It had earlier reported that the council chairman was kidnapped after armed terrorists raided his residence in the early hours of Saturday, killing members of his security detail in the attack.

The latest development was in a statement on Saturday by Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer of Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA.

The statement says the rescued victims include two children of the chairman, his wife, mother and another relation.

Troops responded immediately after hearing the gunshots and exchanged fire with the attackers in a fierce gun battle, forcing the terrorists to abandon the five family members during a hot pursuit, Danja said.

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But he said the terrorists fled with the council chairman into the bush surrounding the area.

The military spokesman said that the attack killed three members of the chairman’s security detail, two police officers and a local vigilante, and also killed a civilian.

The chairman’s older brother, Alhaji Bello Umar, was wounded in the attack, he said.

The statement said the Theatre Command has mobilized a joint search and rescue operation with troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, DSS, and local vigilantes to locate and rescue the abducted chairman.

The command said that all operational resources available have been mobilized for the ongoing operation and assured the Zamfara State Government and residents that all lawful measures are being taken to secure the safe release of the chairman.

It asked members of the public to stay calm and give credible information via established security channels that could assist the ongoing rescue operation.

The Theatre Command re-affirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and assured that it would continue to collaborate with other security agencies until the abducted council chairman is rescued and the perpetrators of the attack are brought to justice.

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Surajo Garba Maikatako, the Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, in Zamfara State, has described the reported deregistration of the party as a temporary legal hurdle and called on the supporters to remain committed to the ideals of democracy.
Maikatako said this in a statement issued on Sunday in Gusau where he assured party members and supporters that the NDC is still a legally recognised and functional political party.

He said the party’s leadership had made it clear that the NDC was not de-registered and still remained committed to democratic governance and service to Nigerians.

“The recent decision of the Federal High Court is a legal hurdle we see as temporary, not terminal,” he said.

The state chairman said the party had met all constitutional and legal requirements, saying its structures were intact from the polling unit to the national level.

He also announced that the party’s candidates were valid and preparations for the 2027 general elections was in progress.

He called on supporters in Zamfara State to be calm, united and focused, saying that the development should not discourage members of the party.

He also expressed confidence in the leadership of the party at the national level, describing the governorship candidate of the party in Zamfara State, Senator Kabiru Marafa as a key figure in the political aspiration of the party.

The chairman told members they must be strong as the party looks at all legal options following the court ruling.

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Checks had shown that farmers especially peasant farmers in Zamfara may not be able to go to their farms even this year following the resurface of the activities of the bandits in the State.

“According to the checks, the activities of the bandits have now reached another dimension where even a child of two years was not left behind.

Bandits, who recently abducted over 40 innocent elderly people in Magami village of Maradun local government, are now going from village to village on their bikes, carrying three persons each to attack farmers who are there preparing their portions for the year’s farming activities.

It was also reliably gathered that the hoodlums did not stop there as many of them are now in the habit of destroying the seeds that have already been sowed.

Others continue the checks and are trapping people, especially women who are going to fetch water in outskirt of their respective villages and kidnap them, and in the process, some of them die.

“The situation is painful,” a number of people, especially aggrieved farmers, told our reporter, expressing their dissatisfaction over the situation.

One of them who also said he is in his 70s, and a father of eleven, told our reporter that even last year he was not opportune to farm and he had to sell some of his effects to buy food stuffs. Alhaji Garba Maidamma told: “I was about to lose everything, including my life, when I realised that I would not be allowed to farm.

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The Zamfara State Police Command has stepped up its fight against public disturbance and reckless riding of motorcycles with the arrest of 21 suspects and recovery of 20 motorcycles in a joint operation in Gusau Local Government Area.

The operation was launched following persistent complaints by residents of Birnin Ruwa, Tullukawa and Yar Gada communities on the activities of youths popularly known as “Arlet Boys” who were accused of carrying out dangerous motorcycle stunts and other disruptive acts that threatened public peace and safety.

The Command said the raids were carried out on June 7, 2026 about 7.30p.m on identified criminal hideouts and black spots in the affected communities. Police operatives arrested 21 suspects and also recovered 20 motorcycles believed to have been used in the alleged disturbances.

Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, confirmed the development and told journalists during a press briefing that the suspects were undergoing screening and investigation.

“The operation will continue to rid the affected communities of criminal elements and ensure safety of lives and property,” he said.

Abubakar further said that anyone found culpable after the investigation would be prosecuted according to the law.

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Bandits have reportedly abducted no fewer than 50 elderly residents of Magamin Diddi village in Magami/Faru ward of Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State on a reconciliation mission.

It was gathered that the victims were whisked away by a bandit kingpin named Jammo who is said to have control of Muntsira Forest in Maradun Local Government Area.

The Chairman of Maradun Local Government Area, Bello Dosara, confirmed the incident according to Daily Trust saying the victims went to meet the bandit leader without the approval or clearance of the government.

The state government, Dosara said, had always been opposed to any form of reconciliation with bandits, adding that Governor Dauda Lawal was not in support of such arrangements.

“We are against reconciliation with the bandits and Governor Dauda Lawal never supported that, but unknown to us the people chose to go on with it,” Dosara said.

Dosara stated that the bandit kingpin had previously blocked the village’s access to the market, but added that the council had been providing weekly security cover for residents to travel to the market and return safely.

He expressed concern that the residents still opted to approach the bandit leader despite the government’s opposition to negotiations with criminal groups.

“I wonder why, how they go and meet their rivals, they block access to the market and I support them with security every week,” he said.

The council chairman confirmed that 11 of the abducted persons had been released while 39 others were still being held.

“He released some to just brief the people on the unfortunate incident,” Dosara said.

Bello Husseini, the Councillor representing Magami/Faru ward, said the bandit leader had earlier requested reconciliation after one of his men was killed during a recent military operation at Kandare village.

He said the request was accepted by members of the affected communities themselves, despite the state government’s policy of no negotiation with bandits.

He said the communities sent a delegation of 50 men to meet the bandit leader but Jammo allegedly betrayed them and abducted the delegation.

Husseini said 11 members of the delegation were later released, while the other 39 remained in captivity.

He said the bandit leader was also demanding ₦24m for the release of three rifles, which the bandits were said to have carted away during previous confrontations.

Husseini said that Jammo and his men had an earlier confrontation with the Zamfara State security outfit, Askarawa, in which two of the bandit leader’s men were killed and their rifles seized.

The bandits later launched a reprisal attack during the last Ramadan period, killing two Askarawa personnel and taking away their rifles, he said.

“We are one to one, you see, they killed two of us and took their rifles and we also killed them and took possession of their firearms in the beginning,” Husseini said.

The latest reconciliation move was started by the bandit leader himself. “He said he was tired of banditry and wanted peace,” said the councillor.

“We are against any kind of reconciliation, because we know they are not trustworthy; they can tell one true thing against a hundred lies,” he said.

“The people he held hostage were elderly and he had no reason to hold them hostage; he betrayed them by saying he is tired of banditry and chose reconciliation,” Husseini added.

Officials Urge Military Action
Husseini who also said he relocated from his ward over insecurity, maintained that reconciliation with bandits would not resolve the security crisis in the area.

He and the council chairman called on the government and security agencies to carry out operations in Dajin Natsira, which they said was a major bandit enclave.

They said the area has not witnessed serious confrontation by security forces since the beginning of banditry in Zamfara State.

“They have never been attacked by any security forces and we are optimistic that if the government wants to help these people, one patrol five kilometres away from the village will give a very good positive result,” they said.

They said security operations in the forest would restore peace to several local government areas including Talata Mafara, Bakura, Anka, Gummi, Bukkuyum, Maru and Bungudu.

They said, “Whenever the forest is bombed, six out of the 14 local government areas in the state such as Talata Mafara, Bakura, Anka, Gummi, Bukkuyum, Maru and Bungudu will definitely be peaceful.”

The officials called on Governor Dauda Lawal and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to urgently intervene and rescue the remaining victims.

Jammo was the overall leader of Dajin Nritra, which Husseini said covers Bayan Ruwa, Kwargwaro, Aljumma Fulani, Gidan Dawa and Kyetare, although each area has its own local leader.

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Bandits have killed the Director of Planning in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Jamilu Sani, and the councillor representing Jangebe Ward in an attack along the Jangebe to Talata Mafara road.

The victims were reportedly kidnapped on May 18, 2026, while they were travelling from Jangebe to the Talata Mafara Local Government headquarters.

Reports said the attackers attacked the victims when they were said to have been travelling with the Area Revenue Officer for Pilgrims Affairs in the local government area to make preparations for the pilgrimage exercise.

It was gathered that the Chairman Talata Mafara Local Government Area, Hon. Yahaya Yari, confirmed the incident, describing it as tragic and unfortunate.

Yari said the council made several efforts to secure the release of the abducted officials but the bandits refused to negotiate for ransom.

He said the attackers threatened to kill anyone abducted from Jangebe community.

Bandits told us that whoever they kidnapped from Jangebe community would be killed. “They made it clear that they were not interested in collecting ransom,” Daily Trust quoted Yari as saying.

The council chairman said the development had thrown the local government area into mourning especially among residents of Jangebe and staff of the council that knew the victims.

Five Persons Ambushed On Road
A resident of Jangebe and close associate of the victims who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the five people were in the vehicle of the Area Revenue Officer, Sama’ila Ladan when ambushed.

The source said the victims were heading to Talata Mafara when the bandits attacked them at a notorious danger point on the road.

“They were waylaid by the bandits at a notorious flashpoint on their way to Mafara. The source said, “The village head was killed on the spot after he resisted being taken away.”

The source said the assailants also shot the Area Revenue Officer on the hand.

“They also shot the Area Revenue Officer in the hand and thought him dead apparently. The source said the attackers also abducted the Director of Planning, Jamilu Sani, while two occupants of the vehicle escaped into nearby bushes.”

The source expressed worry over the deteriorating security situation in Jangebe and neighbouring communities, saying residents now live in fear because of repeated attacks on roads and villages.

He said travelling outside Jangebe had become dangerous especially for residents moving towards Talata Mafara and other parts of the state.

The security situation in our area is continuing to deteriorate. Once you have gone about three kilometres out of Jangebe you are pretty much on your own.

“Our only relatively safe route is the Mayanchi-Anka-Gummi road, but even that has now become a dangerous corridor,” he bemoaned.

The resident called on security agencies and the Zamfara State Government to intensify patrols and restore confidence among communities ravaged by banditry.

DSP Yazid Abubakar, the spokesperson for the Zamfara State Police Command, also confirmed the incident.

The latest attack comes amid rising concerns over insecurity in parts of Zamfara State, where bandits have continued to attack communities, abduct residents and disrupt movement along major roads.

Residents in the area have called for urgent security intervention to prevent further attacks and to protect travellers using the Jangebe to Talata Mafara route.

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Bandits killed a Community Health Officer (CHO) and five other people in Yarkatsinan Laka community in the Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State. They also set fire to a primary health center.

In a statement released on Thursday, DSP Yazid Abubaksr, a spokesperson for the Zamfara State Police Command, said that a large group of armed bandits on more than 50 motorcycles and carrying advanced weapons attacked the Yarkatsinan Laka community.

The Command spokesperson said, “The Police Strike Unit acted quickly and fought the attackers in a gun battle, killing 11 armed bandits and injuring several others who got away.”

The statement said that two police officers and three civilians died during the gunfight.

It went on to say that one police officer was hurt and is now getting treatment and responding well.

He said that things have returned to normal since then and asked the public to keep giving security agencies accurate and timely information to help them do their jobs better.

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To guarantee a peaceful Easter celebration, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Zamfara State Command, has sent 365 operational troops to places of worship throughout the state.

ASCI Umar Mohammed, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, revealed the deployment in a statement released on Wednesday.

He mentioned that Sani Mustapha, the State Commandant, was in charge of the exercise.

The statement claims that the officers have been positioned strategically to cover the Easter period, with an emphasis on bolstering security at places of worship, protecting lives, and preserving vital infrastructure throughout the state’s 14 Local Government Areas.

In order to ensure peace and order during the holiday season, the Commandant tasked the officers with upholding professionalism, discipline, and consistency while guaranteeing efficient operational coverage.

Mustapha further reiterated the Corps’ dedication to its mission of safeguarding people and property under Commandant General Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, cautioning that anyone caught committing crimes will face legal repercussions.

He also wished Christians a happy Easter, calling for harmony and offering prayers for enduring peace in the nation.

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According to security officials and local informants, the alleged murder of Alti, a well-known forest bandit commander, has spurred new competition and retaliation among armed groups operating throughout the states of Zamfara and Katsina.

Alti, who mostly operated in Zamfara State’s Tsafe Local Government Area, was reportedly slain recently in Katsina State after being tricked into an ambush by rival militants prior to the group being engaged by troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA.

“A competing group planned a trap for Alti and his troops. Before troops eventually confronted the gang in the area, a number of his fighters were killed during the conflict, according to a security source acquainted with the situation.

According to Zagazola Makama, the bandit commander gained notoriety after Dan Isihu, another notorious leader, was slain during the Islamic fasting period almost a year ago.

Alti allegedly assumed leadership of the group after Dan Isihu’s passing and promised to step up attacks on the area’s rural populations.

According to security sources, Alti was connected to several attacks on communities, including Dan Jibga, Kunchin Kalgo, and Hayin Kanggana, and was well dreaded throughout Tsafe LGA.

In such places, he was accountable for multiple raids, kidnappings, and extortion. According to a local insider, “his group had turned into one of the most violent factions operating around Tsafe.”

Authorities reportedly connected the gang to the growing number of bandit groups in the Northwest using improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Local intelligence claims that Alti recently traveled to Libya, where he allegedly obtained explosives that were subsequently used along the Zaria–Gusau route.

“Along the highway, one of the devices detonated close to a cement truck.” According to the source, “the explosion caused panic among drivers, allowing the bandits to kidnap travelers during the confusion.”

According to security experts, the deployment of IEDs by bandit organizations reflects a concerning change in strategy that is typical of insurgency warfare.

Investigations also show that a rival group connected to another bandit boss, Isiya Kwashen Garwa, is accused of planning the attack that killed Alti.

Since then, the competing groups have launched retaliatory strikes in response to the death.
According to sources, Kwashen Garwa’s father was apparently killed in a retaliatory attack by warriors loyal to the infamous bandit boss Ado Aleiro, who is thought to be linked to Alti.

According to a security officer, “the killing appears to be part of a revenge cycle between the rival groups competing for control of territories and criminal routes across the Zamfara–Katsina forest belt.”

It is thought that a number of fighters who served under Alti are still active in the woodlands surrounding Tsafe despite his passing.
Umar Kachalla, one of them, is allegedly in charge of organizing the faction’s remaining members.

In the meantime, Babalo, another bandit leader, was also recently slain after being hurt in a conflict with security personnel.

According to local accounts, Babalo was being treated in the Marde area for a gunshot wound sustained during an earlier altercation.

However, he and four of his colleagues were reportedly murdered by troops after they tracked him to the scene.

After years of brutal attacks, kidnappings, and extortion, residents in a number of towns throughout Tsafe LGA claim they are relieved at the deaths of important bandit commanders.

According to a resident of one impacted village, “people are starting to feel some relief for the first time in a long while.” “However, the fear has not entirely disappeared because many of these fighters are still in the forests.”

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At least five migrant workers from Burkina Faso were kidnapped by bandits while they were employed at a gold mining facility close to Arafa village in the Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Zagazola Makama, a security and counter-insurgency specialist in the Lake Chad region, revealed this in a post on X.

According to the source, on March 14 at around 11:15 a.m., a sizable bandit group that was allegedly hibernating between the villages of Arafa and Gidan Dankande attacked the mining site and forcibly transported the workers to an unidentified place.

The heavily armed criminals reportedly vanished into the nearby jungle right away. The offenders had already disappeared when security forces from a neighboring Operation FANSAN YAMMA base arrived.

The source claims that security forces are searching the area for information on the bandits’ whereabouts in an effort to hunt them down and guarantee the safe release of the kidnapped foreign individuals.

It should be noted that the occurrence is a part of Zamfara’s perilous connection between armed banditry and illicit mining.

Remember that the North West’s mineral wealth—gold, copper, and lithium—has developed into a double-edged sword throughout time, drawing both respectable investors and violent criminal organizations who take use of the riches for financial gain.

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