How Bandits Killed 2, kidnapped 60 persons in Zamfara in retaliation of war lord’s death

Dare devil Bandits have continued to unleash attacks across the Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, killing two residents and abducting over 60 others in what locals believe is retaliation for the recent killing of notorious warlords by security forces.

Among those eliminated was Kachalla Yellow, also known as Dan Isuhu, a feared bandit kingpin who was gunned down two weeks ago during a failed ambush on the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards deployed to Keta.

He was killed alongside his nephew, the son of his elder brother and fellow warlord, Adamu Aliero.

“He and his gang tried to ambush the guards but walked into a trap laid by a heavily armed security team.

A fierce firefight broke out, leading to the death of Yellow and several of his fighters,” a resident recounted.

Another unnamed gang leader was reportedly killed around the same time in the area.

Following these incidents, bandits believed to be loyal to Aliero have ramped up attacks across Tsafe LGA.

On Sunday, gunmen invaded Gidan Arne village, shooting three residents—two of whom died instantly, while the third is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital. During the assault, about 40 women were abducted, and several homes were burned to the ground.

That same day, the Keta community came under siege. Armed assailants killed one person, torched 11 vehicles, looted numerous shops, and abducted an unspecified number of residents.

A community elder, speaking anonymously, confirmed that coordinated attacks had earlier been launched on Yan Doton Daji and Unguwan Chida villages. Eleven people were abducted in Yan Doton Daji, and ten more in Unguwan Chida, both near Kucheri town.

“Tsafe is vulnerable because of the vast forests in the area. These hideouts are being used by notorious bandit leaders like Adamu Aliero and Dogo Gide,” he said.

Zamfara remains a flashpoint of banditry in Nigeria’s North West, where rural communities continue to face relentless terror. In some areas, bandits have imposed levies on farmers before allowing them to harvest their crops, with deadly consequences for defaulters.

Just last month, six operatives of the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards (also known as Askarawa) and four local vigilantes were killed in an ambush, shortly after a successful joint security operation in Sunke Forest.

In October 2024, nine Askarawa operatives were similarly ambushed and killed at a checkpoint outside Tsafe town. Days later, the Director General of the guards, retired General Lawal B. Muhammad, narrowly survived an assassination attempt along the Funtua–Tsafe road.

Earlier, in February 2024, dozens of worshippers were kidnapped in a mosque attack in the area, underscoring the region’s deepening security crisis.