At least five people have been killed and several others declared missing after bandits ambushed residents of Kyaram community returning from Maga Market in Bukkuyyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The attack reportedly occurred on Wednesday evening along a rural road linking Maga Market to Kyaram village, according to security sources and local residents.
A security alert issued by Bakatsine on Thursday confirmed the incident, stating that five deaths had so far been recorded, while search and rescue operations were ongoing to locate missing persons.
Residents said the ambush threw the community into panic, as many victims were travelling home from the busy market when they were attacked.
Security sources linked the attack to a notorious bandit group allegedly led by a kingpin known as Yellow Janbross. The assault was said to have taken place around 4:00 p.m. on January 28.
“The Divisional Police Officer of Dansadau Division, in collaboration with joint security forces, has been mobilised to the area,” a security source said. “Efforts are ongoing to rescue those who are still missing.”
The incident comes amid a surge in violent attacks across Zamfara State. It was earlier reported that at least 20 people were abducted by bandits in Dausayi village, also in the state.
Last week, Zamfara witnessed another deadly incident when suspected terrorists ambushed security personnel, killing at least five officers, including Inspector Aliyu Ibrahim of the 1 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Kaduna.
According to a statement from the 1 PMF Kaduna attached to Operation Fansan Yamma in Gusau, the officers were travelling to Gusau while on pass when they were attacked near Gidan Goni village in Kwatarkwashi Local Government Area.
The statement said several other personnel sustained injuries during the ambush and were taken to Yeriman Bakura Specialist Hospital in Gusau for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the hospital morgue.
Residents and community leaders have continued to call for stronger security measures as attacks by bandits persist across rural parts of Zamfara State.