At least 30 armed bandits were killed in an ambush by local vigilantes in the Dansadau district of Maru Local Government Area, Zamfara State, on Thursday, April 4. The incident, which occurred around 2:00 p.m., was confirmed by intelligence sources cited by counter-terrorism expert Zagazola Makama.
The bandits, who were reportedly on their way to attack a nearby village, were intercepted by members of the local vigilante group, known as Yansakai, who had positioned themselves strategically on the outskirts of the town. A fierce gun battle ensued, resulting in the deaths of the attackers. During the confrontation, the vigilantes also seized 16 motorcycles, which the bandits had allegedly used to carry out their operations.
In a related development, security forces discovered the body of Ashiru Dawa, a member of the Community Protection Guard, who had been abducted by suspected bandits earlier. His remains were found around 6:00 a.m. in the Gidan Kano area on the same day. Reports indicate that his body was taken to a local hospital for an autopsy before being handed over to his family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
These incidents highlight the growing security challenges in Zamfara State, where local vigilante groups have increasingly taken matters into their own hands in response to the constant threat posed by armed bandits. Security experts point out that such acts of self-defense are becoming more common as communities seek to protect themselves amid a backdrop of persistent criminal activity.
Efforts to address the escalating insecurity in the state are ongoing, with both government authorities and community-driven initiatives working together to tackle the menace of banditry and restore peace to the region.
