Suspected bandits have abducted more than 70 residents and killed a Nigerian Army officer and a police officer during a deadly attack on Kasuwar Daji village in Kaura-Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The attack, which occurred at about 1:40 a.m. on Sunday, is the latest in a series of violent raids targeting rural communities across the North-West, despite ongoing military operations against armed groups in the region.
A resident of the community, Musa Garba, who survived the attack, told journalists that the assailants stormed the village in large numbers, firing sporadically as they moved from house to house in search of residents.
According to him, the attackers overpowered security personnel despite resistance mounted by troops, police officers and local vigilantes stationed in the area.
“The military tried their best to stop the attack, but the bandits were many. They eventually escaped into the forest with more than 70 people they abducted,” Garba said.
He described the incident as one of the most traumatic experiences of his life, saying panic engulfed the community as residents fled for safety.
“People were running in different directions to save their lives. Women and children were stranded, and everywhere was filled with fear. I have never witnessed such a horrible situation before. You could hear gunshots, animals screaming and people crying for help,” he said.
Garba added that, apart from those abducted, an unspecified number of villagers were also killed during the attack.
The Nigerian Army confirmed the incident in a statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division Nigerian Army/Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba.
According to the statement, the terrorists attempted to attack a military location under the cover of darkness but were met with stiff resistance from troops.
“The incident occurred at approximately 1:40 a.m. on 2 August 2026, when terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the military facility. Alerted troops swiftly detected the hostile movement and responded with coordinated, overwhelming firepower,” Osoba said.
He stated that the intense exchange of gunfire forced the attackers to retreat into nearby forests.
“The fierce resistance compelled the terrorists to abandon their mission and withdraw in confusion,” he added.
Osoba, however, confirmed that the attackers succeeded in abducting an unspecified number of residents during their withdrawal from the area.
“Following the initial engagement, reinforcements arrived and troops launched a hot pursuit of the fleeing terrorists, who had abducted an unspecified number of residents from the surrounding community during the attack,” he said.
The Army spokesman disclosed that troops rescued nine of the abducted victims during the pursuit and inflicted heavy casualties on the fleeing gunmen.
“The successful defence by the troops resulted in heavy casualties for the terrorists, forcing them to retreat in disarray, while nine abducted civilians were successfully rescued,” he said.
Osoba also confirmed that one Army officer and one police officer were killed during the fierce gun battle.
“Regrettably, one Army officer and one Police officer paid the supreme price during the heavy firefight,” he said.
He added that two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds and were immediately evacuated by air for advanced medical treatment.
“Additionally, two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds and were promptly evacuated by air for advanced medical care. Both personnel remain in stable condition,” Osoba stated.
According to him, troops have since secured the area and commenced exploitation operations to determine the full extent of the terrorists’ losses while preventing further attacks on surrounding communities.
He reaffirmed the military’s determination to sustain ongoing offensives against criminal groups operating across the North-West.
“Operation FANSAN YAMMA remains resolute in its commitment to sustaining offensive operations, protecting vulnerable communities and dismantling terrorist networks until lasting peace and security are fully restored across the North-West,” he said.
Residents of Kaura-Namoda and neighbouring communities have repeatedly expressed concern over persistent attacks despite increased military operations, saying many rural settlements remain vulnerable to raids by heavily armed groups.
West Trybe reports that Zamfara remains one of the states most affected by banditry in Northern Nigeria, with repeated attacks, mass abductions and killings continuing to pose serious security and humanitarian challenges. Security agencies have intensified coordinated operations under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, but armed groups continue to launch deadly attacks on remote communities across the state.
