Bandits Attack Zamfara Villages As Military Increase Firepower, Rescue Abducted Nigerians

The attacks on soft targets in Zamfara State are bandits’ retaliation for the Nigerian military’s use of lethal force in recent weeks.

The last few days have seen the massacre of defenseless individuals who were already living in fear due to food shortages, gunshots, and invasion fears.

While some outlaws have promised to fight to the death, others have chosen peace in order to avoid aircraft bombardments and ground operations.

Hundreds of Nigerians were killed by fleeing bandits in areas around the Anka and Bukkuyum towns last week. The attack drew widespread condemnation.

Leaders in the Shinkafi and Tsafe areas, on the other hand, have requested a cease-fire from the government in exchange for the release of captives to security forces.

Locals residing in escape routes, however, have been targeted by resistant ones and foot soldiers, who have been rustling animals and plundering.

The settlements include Barayar Zaki, Rafin Gero, Rafin Danya, and Kurfa, according to an intelligence operative.

He confirmed the annihilation of a number of bandit commanders and fighters, assuring a sustained military assault.

The designation of bandits as terrorists has also given the Armed Forces the legal authority to use all of their available resources during operations.

“Realising the implication of the tagging of banditry as terrorism by the federal government, some bandit leaders have freed large numbers of captives in Shinkafi, Tsafe and Kaura.

“A non-kinetic approach by the state government and security agencies, spearheaded by the intelligence service of the Nigerian military, is helping to facilitate the release of more abductees”, the source revealed.

Disclosing that offensives are continuing in areas where the terrorists are proving stubborn, the officer said combat pilots are being careful not to bomb civilians and people being held in forests.