Zamfara

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have thwarted an attempted mass abduction in Unguwar Rogo village, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, rescuing nine civilians, including an infant.

The incident occurred on August 16 after security personnel received a distress call about an attack on civilians travelling along a local route in the community.

Aliyu Danja, media information officer of the Joint Task Force (North-West), Operation Fansan Yamma, said preliminary intelligence suggested that the terrorists were led by a suspected kingpin identified as Mallam Shuaibu.

According to the statement, the attack may have been carried out in retaliation for the arrest of suspected collaborators who were allegedly connected to the terrorist network.

“The suspects had earlier been intercepted by troops while attempting to procure motorcycles and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in support of the terrorists’ activities,” the statement reads.

The statement said the attackers later hid inside a millet farm along the route and opened fire on vehicles in an apparent attempt to abduct civilians. The gunfire reportedly caused some drivers to lose control of their vehicles and leave the road.

“In an apparent attempt to retaliate and abduct civilians, the terrorists concealed themselves within a millet farm along the route and opened fire on passing vehicles, causing some drivers to lose control and veer off the road.

“Responding swiftly to the distress call, troops of Sector 2 moved to the area and decisively engaged the terrorists, denying them the opportunity to carry out the abduction.

“Faced with the troops’ superior response, the terrorists abandoned their mission and fled into the surrounding forest.

“Following the engagement, troops rescued nine civilians, including an infant.”

The military further disclosed that two women sustained gunshot wounds during the attack. They were evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.

Operation Fansan Yamma, the army said, would continue its operations against terrorist and criminal groups across the North-West.

It also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting civilians and restoring peace and security in the region.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have arrested a suspected explosives courier with 180 units of 20mm Super Power explosives in Zamfara State.

The suspect, identified as 57-year-old Sani Umar, was intercepted on Friday, August 14, 2026, during routine snap checks on vehicles by troops of Sector 2.

The Nigerian Army said Umar was allegedly transporting the explosives from Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State to suspected terrorist elements in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.

According to a statement posted by the Army on X on Saturday, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said the explosives were discovered after troops searched Umar’s vehicle.

“The suspect, vehicle and recovered explosives are currently in custody for further investigation,” the military said.

The interception took place as troops carried out separate offensive operations against terrorist elements in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara.

The Army said troops engaged terrorists in a firefight around Garin Kaso, where two suspected terrorists were killed.

The operation also led to the recovery of two rifles, two magazines, nine rounds of ammunition and two motorcycles, according to the military.

The Army said another group of terrorists later tried to attack the troops from concealed positions but the soldiers repelled the assault.

The troops reportedly inflicted additional casualties on the terrorists and forced the surviving fighters to escape from the area.

The exact number of casualties from the second encounter was not immediately established. However, the military said information from residents indicated that the fleeing terrorists evacuated several wounded members as well as the bodies of some of those killed.

The Army said the operations reflect the continued offensive activities of Operation FANSAN YAMMA against terrorist camps and the supply routes used to move weapons and explosives to the groups.

The Theatre Command said it would sustain the operations to disrupt terrorist activities and “deny terrorists and other criminal elements freedom of action across the North West.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of the Joint Task Force North-West under Operation FANSAN YAMMA have rescued 48 abducted residents after repelling a terrorist attack on Magami village in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The operation followed a distress call received in the early hours of Sunday, July 26, which reported that dozens of armed terrorists had stormed the community.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Aliyu Danja, said the attackers arrived on about 40 motorcycles and abducted several villagers.

According to him, the assailants assembled the victims with the intention of taking them into a nearby forest, while another group remained at the edge of the village to guard the motorcycles.

Danja said troops responded swiftly to the emergency and confronted the attackers.

“On arrival at the scene, the troops immediately engaged the terrorists in a fierce firefight, forcing them to abandon the kidnapped victims and flee into the surrounding bush,” Danja said.



“The prompt intervention led to the successful rescue of all 48 abducted civilians.”



He disclosed that one resident lost his life during the attack, while two others sustained gunshot wounds.

The injured victims were evacuated to the General Hospital in Kaura Namoda, where they are receiving treatment.

Following the operation, security personnel carried out patrols across the area to prevent another attack and maintain a security presence in the community.

The military command praised the troops for their performance during the operation.

“The Theatre Command commends the gallantry and professionalism of the troops for this successful operation and reassures residents of the North West of its unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property,” the statement added.



Danja also urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with useful and timely information to strengthen ongoing operations against terrorist groups in the North-West.

“Sustain the momentum in ridding the north-west of terrorist elements.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Armed terrorists stormed the residence of Bungudu Local Government Chairman Honourable Nura Umar Abdullahi in the early hours of Saturday, abducting him and several family members after overwhelming his security detail, military authorities have confirmed.

Troops from Operation FANSAN YAMMA responded to distress calls and immediately engaged the assailants in a hot pursuit, sparking a fierce exchange of gunfire that forced the attackers to abandon five of the Chairman’s relatives, including his mother, wife, two children, and other family members, who were successfully rescued.

However, the terrorists managed to escape with Abdullahi into the surrounding bushes, according to Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force (North West).

The attack claimed the lives of two police officers and one local vigilante who were part of the Chairman’s security detail, all of whom “gallantly resisted the attackers,” Danja said. A civilian was also killed, while the Chairman’s elder brother, Alhaji Bello Umar, sustained injuries during the assault.

The Theatre Command has since activated a coordinated search and rescue operation involving troops, police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and local vigilantes. Security forces are currently conducting deliberate operations at suspected terrorist hideouts in a bid to secure the Chairman’s safe release.

“The Theatre Command has deployed all available resources in the ongoing operation and remains in close coordination with participating security agencies,” Danja said. “The Theatre Command assures the Government and people of Zamfara State that every lawful and operational measure is being taken to achieve a successful outcome.”

The military appealed to the public to remain calm and provide credible information that may assist ongoing efforts, while reaffirming its commitment to protecting lives and property.

Zamfara has been plagued by banditry and terrorist activities in recent years, with local government officials frequently targeted in kidnapping-for-ransom attacks. The abduction underscores the persistent security challenges facing the North-Western region despite intensified military operations.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Armed bandits have abducted the chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area, Nura Umar Bungudu, in a daring raid on his residence in Zamfara State, security sources confirmed Saturday.

The attack occurred late Friday night when heavily armed gunmen infiltrated Bungudu town and went directly to the chairman’s home in the Zango district. The assailants also kidnapped a staff member of the Federal Medical Centre in Gusau and a Point-of-Sale (POS) operator in the area.

Security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, reported that the operation resulted in multiple fatalities, including police officers and local vigilantes who attempted to repel the attackers.

Zamfara State, located in northwestern Nigeria, has been plagued by persistent banditry and kidnapping for years. The security crisis has claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands, with rural communities bearing the brunt of frequent attacks.

Local residents described the incident as one of the most brazen assaults in recent months, noting that the chairman had been a target of previous threats. The kidnappers have yet to issue any demands.

A security task force has been deployed to track the gunmen, though no arrests have been made. The state government has yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

The kidnapping highlights the deteriorating security situation in the region, where armed groups continue to operate with impunity despite repeated government pledges to restore order.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Zamfara State Government has launched the distribution of 72,000 bags of fertiliser and other agricultural inputs to farmers across the state to support food production during the 2026 wet farming season.

The distribution exercise was inaugurated by Governor Dauda Lawal on Friday at the Trade Fair Complex in Gusau, the state capital.

The governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, said the programme involves the distribution of more than 120 truckloads of fertiliser and other farming materials.

According to him, the intervention includes 72,000 bags of fertiliser, 200,000 litres of herbicides, 100 crop residue crushers, 100 grass choppers, and 100 feed milling machines. The government also distributed improved pasture seeds, 20 motorcycles, and 20 mobile phones to agricultural extension workers.

Speaking at the event, Lawal described agriculture as the foundation of Zamfara’s economy. He also reaffirmed his administration’s determination to strengthen the sector.

He said, “Today’s event marks another significant milestone in our commitment to revitalising agriculture, strengthening food security, creating sustainable livelihoods, supporting our farmers, and repositioning Zamfara State as a major contributor to Nigeria’s agricultural economy.”

The governor noted that Zamfara has extensive arable land and a large population that depends on farming, livestock production, and trade for their livelihoods.

He said his administration is working to move the state’s agricultural sector beyond subsistence farming through the adoption of technology and improved market access.

Lawal said, “Our goal is to restore and expand Zamfara’s farming legacy by shifting from subsistence to productive, tech-driven, market-orientated agriculture.

“We aim to unlock farmers’ potential through improved inputs, mechanisation, irrigation, extension services, climate-smart methods, and market linkages. This will make Zamfara a leading Nigerian agricultural hub.”

The governor also stated that improved security in parts of the state has enabled many farming communities to return to their fields. He added that the government will continue to provide the support and infrastructure required to sustain agricultural activities.

Lawal further said the state has strengthened collaboration with the Federal Government, development partners, and international organisations through programmes such as FADAMA III, NG-CARES, SPIN, ZACADEP, the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme, and projects supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

According to him, these initiatives have provided thousands of farmers with improved seeds, fertilisers, agrochemicals, irrigation facilities, farm equipment, and modern agricultural practices.

He added that the fertilisers and other farming inputs will be shared across Zamfara’s 147 political wards in its 14 local government areas. Each ward will receive 340 bags of fertiliser, while every local government area will receive 8,000 litres of herbicides.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has approved the payment of allowances to members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in the state.

The approval was contained in a statement issued by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mahmud Muhammad Dantawasa, on June 19, 2026.

The approval covers corps members from Batch A Stream I and II through to Batch C Stream I and II.

The state government stated that the move demonstrates its appreciation for the contributions young people are making in sectors such as education, health, agriculture, and other community development activities in Zamfara.

The statement further indicated that Governor Dauda Lawal has directed the Office of the Accountant General of the state to finalise all necessary arrangements to ensure the smooth and proper implementation of the payments, in line with established procedures.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Amnesty International has condemned a fresh attack in Zamfara State that reportedly left at least 17 farmers dead and 13 others injured after suspected bandits invaded farmlands in the area.

The human rights organisation disclosed the incident in a post on X on Saturday. It said the attack occurred in Goron Namaye, Maradun Local Government Area, on Friday, June 12, 2026, which coincided with Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration.

Reacting to the incident, Amnesty International said: “Yesterday, bandits invaded farmlands at Goron Namaye in Maradun local government area, killing 17 farmers while injuring at least 13 others.

“The Nigerian authorities must do more to end the incessant atrocities committed by bandits and other armed groups almost daily.

“As the rainy season sets in, farming in Zamfara state is now a matter of life and death.”

The organisation stated that the recurring attacks on communities in Zamfara and other parts of the country point to what it described as the authorities’ inability to effectively tackle insecurity.

According to Amnesty International, “The authorities’ lethargy has allowed impunity to flourish and the killings to spread to many parts of the country, inflicting greater suffering on communities who already live in constant fear of the next attack.”

The group also criticised the federal government’s handling of the security situation, saying: “The Nigerian government has also displayed what can only be described as gross incompetence and has failed in its duty to protect the lives of its population and end the intensifying attacks and abductions.”

The latest incident has renewed concerns over the worsening security situation in Zamfara State, where armed groups have continued to target rural communities, attack farmers, abduct residents, and disrupt economic activities despite repeated security operations.

The attack comes as many farmers across the state return to their fields following the onset of the rainy season, raising fresh concerns about food security and the safety of rural populations in Nigeria’s North-West region.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Armed bandits have reportedly killed a teacher at Federal Government College, Anka, in Zamfara State, Mustapha Yahaya Maru, after collecting ransom from his family.

Maru was kidnapped earlier this month while travelling to Anka alongside other passengers after gunmen intercepted their vehicle on the road.

Following the abduction, the attackers reportedly contacted the victim’s relatives and demanded a large ransom. Family members later gathered the money after negotiations with the kidnappers in the hope of securing his release.

However, the teacher was reportedly killed on Tuesday despite the payment.

The incident has left residents of Maru community and members of his family in grief. It has also renewed concerns over the worsening security situation in Zamfara State and other parts of the North-West.

Cases of kidnapping and attacks by armed groups have continued across several communities in the state.

In another incident, suspected bandits reportedly attacked travellers along Tashar Lawali Road in Talata Mafara Local Government Area on Monday, May eighteen.

Security sources said the assailants blocked the road near Jangebe District at about eleven twenty in the morning before opening fire on motorists and commuters.

The attackers reportedly targeted a vehicle conveying local government officials and abducted two occupants.

The victims were identified as Jamilu Sani, Director of Planning in Talata Mafara Local Government Area, and Muslimu Habibu, a councillor representing Jangebe Ward.

Another official, Samaila Ladan, who works with the Hajj Affairs Unit of the local government council, reportedly sustained a gunshot injury to his right hand during the attack.

The driver of the vehicle, Lawali Hakimi, was reportedly killed at the scene.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Residents of Bukkuyum in Zamfara State have reported that gunmen kidnapped over 150 people during a nighttime raid.

According to locals, several villages were attacked, forcing hundreds to flee their homes.

Hon. Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi, a federal lawmaker representing Gumi and Bukkuyum, confirmed the incident to the BBC. He stated that residents of Kurfa Ɗanya and Kurfan Magaji spent the night in fear, and that all inhabitants have now left their villages, seeking refuge in Bukkuyum town.

Hon. Gumi added that the Bukkuyum, Gumi, and Anka areas have long suffered from armed attacks and kidnappings for ransom.

He called on the federal government to prioritize security in Zamfara State.
“We see that the government is now focused on Borno due to the threat of Boko Haram’s resurgence, but we urge it to remember that Zamfara is also facing serious security challenges,” he said.