By Our Correspondent
National News – The Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed that officers successfully repelled two coordinated attacks by suspected armed bandits in Maru and Bukkuyum Local Government Areas of Zamfara State, Nigeria, on April 9, 2026, leaving five persons injured, including a vigilante and four residents.
The incidents occurred in Zamfara State in north-west Nigeria when suspected armed bandits, riding about 10 motorcycles and wielding AK-47 rifles, launched coordinated assaults on security positions and the Yar Galma community.
Police spokesperson DSP Yazid Abubakar said the first attack happened at about 7:30 pm along the Kadauri–Kizawa axis in Maru LGA, where officers engaged the attackers in a gun duel and forced them to retreat into the forest with suspected gunshot injuries.
He added that during the exchange, a member of the local vigilante group sustained gunshot injuries and was rushed to the General Hospital in Maru for treatment, while patrols were intensified to restore calm.
In a second attack at about 1:35 am in Bukkuyum LGA, armed bandits stormed Yar Galma village, shooting sporadically and causing panic among residents, prompting a swift joint response from police and vigilantes.
The responders engaged the attackers, forcing them to flee into nearby forests with gunshot injuries, while four residents sustained varying degrees of injury and were evacuated to Bukkuyum General Hospital.
Authorities confirmed that normalcy has been restored in the affected communities, with ongoing patrols and surveillance, and urged residents to provide credible information to security agencies as investigations continue.
Security officials emphasized that the attacks highlight ongoing safety challenges in Zamfara State, North-West Nigeria, where coordinated bandit groups continue to target rural communities, prompting sustained police operations and community vigilance across Maru and Bukkuyum LGAs.
They reiterated commitment to protecting lives and property and assured residents that intelligence-led policing, rapid response tactics, and collaboration with local vigilantes will remain central to restoring lasting peace in the region.
The Zamfara State Police Command urged the public to report suspicious movements promptly to prevent further attacks and strengthen security outcomes.
