BREAKING: Nigerian Army Officer, 15 Villagers Feared Dead in Brutal Bandit Attacks on Zamfara Community

A deadly bandit attack in Zamfara State has left a Nigerian Army officer, Lieutenant Isma’il Yahya, and several others dead, according to reliable sources.

The officer was among military personnel ambushed while attempting to repel the armed assailants along a highway in the state.

In a related incident, suspected terrorists stormed Tofa village in Magami district, under Gusau Local Government Area, killing over 15 villagers and injuring many others.

Several residents are still unaccounted for, raising fears that the death toll may rise.

Tofa, located near the state capital Gusau, has suffered repeated attacks in recent months. Many villagers have reportedly fled the area due to persistent threats, extortion by armed groups, and lack of adequate security protection.

A local source said, “The bandits ambushed the troops and killed many. The families of the fallen soldiers have been notified, but there’s been no official statement from the army.”

Efforts to reach the Nigerian Army spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Onyinyechi Anele, for a comment were unsuccessful as calls to her phone remained unanswered.

Zamfara State has remained a hotspot for banditry and terrorist activities, with armed groups operating from deep forest hideouts across Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, and Niger states. These groups are notorious for village raids, mass killings, kidnappings, and the destruction of property.