At least five soldiers and numerous bandits are feared dead following a violent encounter on Monday along the Lilo–Gulubba Road in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The troops were escorting traders to the Gusau market when a large group of bandits ambushed the convoy. Eyewitness Mohammed Isa said the attackers, who had been lying in wait by the roadside, suddenly opened fire.
“There was chaos as passengers fled into the bush, while the soldiers retaliated with heavy gunfire,” Isa recounted. “Many bandits were killed, but tragically, five soldiers also lost their lives. Several passengers were injured, though many managed to escape unharmed. The bandits retreated when they realized they were losing the fight.”
In Plateau State, three farmers were killed and another injured in separate attacks in Larkas and Kodahas communities in Panyam District, Mangu Local Government Area. The victims—Gideon Jise (41), Fidelis Usman (49), and Job Amis (28)—were reportedly attacked while working on their farms.
Bulus Dabit, National President of the Mwaghavul Development Association, condemned the killings as “barbaric” and accused herders of orchestrating the attacks. He also revealed that assailants had rustled eight cattle from Jwak village but noted that local youths recovered 16 cattle and handed them to security operatives.
Dabit urged authorities to establish additional security posts around vulnerable communities to prevent further violence, describing cattle rustling and related attacks as organized crime that undermines peace efforts in Plateau State.
At press time, Operation Enduring Peace had yet to comment on the incidents.
