At least 30 armed bandits were killed in an ambush executed by local vigilantes in the Dansadau district of Maru Local Government Area, Zamfara State. The attack took place around 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 4, and was confirmed by intelligence sources cited by counter-terrorism expert Zagazola Makama. The bandits were reportedly en route to carry out an attack on a nearby village when they were intercepted by members of the Yansakai, a local vigilante group. The group had strategically positioned themselves on the outskirts of the town.
A violent gunfight ensued, leading to the death of the attackers. “A fierce gun battle ensued, leading to the death of the suspected attackers,” Makama reported. During the clash, the vigilantes managed to recover 16 motorcycles that were allegedly used by the bandits.
In a related event, security forces discovered the body of a local Community Protection Guard (CPG) member, Ashiru Dawa, who had been abducted by suspected bandits earlier. His body was found around 6:00 a.m. in the Gidan Kano area on the same day. According to reports, his remains were taken to a nearby hospital for an autopsy before being handed over to his family for burial in line with Islamic customs.
These events highlight the worsening security situation in Zamfara State, where local vigilante groups have increasingly turned to self-defense due to the ongoing attacks by armed groups. Experts emphasize that these incidents illustrate the growing security challenges faced by the region, with authorities and community-led efforts continuing to combat the persistent threat of banditry.
