Bandits have killed two members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and one community guard in a renewed wave of violence in Zamfara State.
The ambush occurred on Saturday along the Gusau-Kaura Namoda road.
It was gathered that there were also multiple abductions along the Kaura Namoda-Shinkafi highway on the same day.
Sources told Daily Trust that the CJTF operatives had reportedly been brought in from Maiduguri to assist in combating persistent attacks in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area. However, the identity of those who facilitated their deployment remains unclear.
A resident of Kaura Namoda, who requested anonymity, said the initial attack occurred at a CJTF checkpoint around 11 am.
“One of the CJTF operatives was killed during the assault. In response, other operatives and community guards pursued the attackers, unaware of an ambush ahead,” the source said.
A subsequent gun battle led to the deaths of another CJTF operative and one community guard. The source added that unconfirmed reports indicate up to five bandits may have been killed in the clash.
Another source claimed the operatives had advanced into the bandits’ hideout and were gaining the upper hand until they ran out of ammunition.
“While retreating, they walked into an ambush where three of them were killed,” the source added.
When contacted, the spokesman for the Zamfara State Police Command, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said he was unaware of the attack but promised to follow up and provide details. However, no update was received as of the time of filing this report.
The deceased have since been buried in accordance with Islamic rites.
This latest attack adds to growing insecurity in the state. In May, at least three people were killed and 26 others abducted in coordinated assaults across several Kaura Namoda communities.
Sabon Gari village was reportedly the hardest hit, with one woman killed and about 20 residents abducted.
Residents linked the violence to loyalists of a notorious bandit leader, Bello Kaura, also known as Dan Sade. He is believed to command one of the largest bandit camps in Zamfara, allegedly housing about 3,000 fighters near Bakalori Camp, close to Sabon Gari.
“Dan Sade knows the area well. His father is still the Sarkin Fulani of Kungurki ward in Kaura Namoda. He has even built a mosque and several shops in nearby villages,” a source revealed.
Despite the camp’s location and reputation, locals remain frustrated with what they perceive as a lack of decisive military action. Many now fear Dan Sade’s ultimate goal is to overrun Kaura Namoda-the second-largest town in the state.
Communities such as Unguwan Sarkin Musulmi, Unguwan Rogo, and Yamitsawa have been deserted. “People now flee their homes every evening and return only during the day. The bandits have intensified attacks on Sabon Gari, Kungurki, and surrounding villages,” another resident said.
Community leaders called for the establishment of a permanent military base in Kungurki to curb the escalating violence.
In a separate incident last Thursday, four people were killed and one person abducted in Kungurki village. The kidnappers later demanded a ransom of N3 million but refused to allow any communication with the hostage, raising concerns for his safety.
“The villagers declined to pay because they’re unsure if the victim is still alive,” a source explained.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of Birnin Magaji Local Government Area was shot and injured on Friday along the Kaura-Gusau road. His elder brother and another individual were abducted in the same attack.
Two commercial drivers were also reportedly killed, and an undisclosed number of passengers were abducted along the same route in a related incident.
