20 miners, 8 others killed as bandits launch coordinated attacks on Zamfara communities

At least 28 people, including 20 miners, have been killed following a series of coordinated assaults by armed bandits in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The attacks, which began around 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, struck the communities of Gobirawa Chali, Damaga, and Lugga. Eyewitnesses described the raids as sudden and devastating, with the gunmen reportedly arriving in large numbers.

Gobirawa Chali bore the brunt of the violence, where over 20 miners were gunned down at a mining site.

Reuters quoted a resident, Ismail Hassan, who said, “gunmen in their hundreds opened fire on miners on Thursday afternoon and a firefight ensued,” leading to numerous casualties.

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Another resident, Isah Ibrahim, confirmed that 21 bodies were recovered from the scene, while several others sustained injuries.

Amnesty International also weighed in, confirming the attack in a statement released on Friday. The organization reported that the attackers went from house to house in Gobirawa Chali, killing more than 20 people.

In nearby Damaga, five individuals were reportedly killed, while three more lost their lives during an assault on Lugga village.

A resident of Lugga recounted how the attackers surrounded the village, fired indibamscriminately, and rustled livestock.

“They also stormed Damaga where they killed five persons. We don’t know the motive behind the latest attacks because the last time bandits attacked our community was over a year ago,” he said.

Speaking under condition of anonymity, another local source noted that the casualty figure could have been much higher if not for the swift response of the Nigerian military.

Ground troops and a fighter jet reportedly arrived during the attack, engaging the bandits in a firefight that led to the deaths of several of the assailants.

The attacks have once again highlighted the persistent insecurity in Zamfara State, where banditry has plagued many rural communities despite ongoing military operations in the region.

When contacted, the spokesman of the Zamfara State Police Command, DSP Yazid Abubakar said he was  yet to be briefed about the latest attacks.