Bandit attacks sack 10 Zamfara communities, 40 feared abducted

Fresh attacks by heavily armed terrorists have forced residents of Tashar Mayanchi and more than 10 surrounding communities in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State to abandon their ancestral homes, deepening the humanitarian crisis caused by the worsening insecurity in Nigeria's North-West. Conflict reporter Bakatsine disclosed on Thursday that repeated terrorist attacks had emptied several rural communities in Maru LGA, leaving once-thriving settlements largely deserted as frightened residents fled for safety. "Yesterday, repeated bandit attacks forced residents to flee Tashar Mayanchi and more than 10 surrounding communities in Maru LGA of Zamfara State, leaving once-thriving villages largely deserted," Bakatsine wrote on X. According to him, local sources said more than 40 residents remain in captivity following four consecutive days of attacks by the terrorists. He warned that the continued wave of violence could enable the armed groups to expand their control and threaten the strategic Zamfara-Sokoto highway, further isolating already vulnerable communities. "Local sources say more than 40 people remain in captivity after four consecutive days of attacks, raising fears that continued displacement could allow bandits to threaten the Zamfara-Sokoto highway and further isolate affected communities," he said. Bakatsine questioned the government's response to the growing crisis, asking, "How many more rural communities must be emptied before meaningful security reaches them?" The latest attacks come on the heels of Wednesday's deadly assault in the Sauna District of Talata Mafara Local Government Area, where no fewer than 20 residents were killed after terrorists operated for about three hours without resistance from security agencies.