In a tragic incident in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State, ten security operatives, including six members of the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards (CPG) and four local vigilantes, were killed in an ambush by suspected bandits on Saturday. The attack occurred after a joint security operation led by the Nigerian Army successfully targeted bandits in Sunke Forest, located in the northern part of the state.
The operation, which was aimed at dismantling bandit hideouts and neutralizing criminal elements in the region, had initially been deemed successful. The security forces, comprising members of the CPG and Nigerian Army personnel, had raided the bandits’ hideouts in Sunke Forest, resulting in the neutralization of several bandits and the recovery of weapons. However, as the security operatives were returning from the operation, they were ambushed by gunmen around the Bagega axis, leading to the devastating attack.
The assailants opened fire on the returning security team, killing ten individuals in the process. Among the deceased were six operatives of the CPG, which is the state’s primary local security force, and four vigilantes, locally known as ‘Yan Sakai,’ who assist in community-based security efforts.
In addition to the fatalities, three individuals remain missing following the ambush, including two CPG operatives and one local vigilante. Efforts are underway to locate the missing individuals, while the families of the victims are left in mourning after the horrific incident.
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, confirmed the attack and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives. In a statement posted on his verified Facebook page on Sunday, Lawal described the ambush as “heartbreaking” and extended his condolences to the families of the deceased. He shared the details of the security operation and the subsequent ambush that claimed the lives of the ten security operatives.
“I received the heartbreaking news that bandits ambushed some members of the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards in Anka Local Government,” Governor Lawal wrote in his statement, which was written in Hausa. “The incident followed a security operation where our forces, alongside the Nigerian Army, attacked the bandits’ hideouts, successfully neutralizing several of them and recovering weapons.”
Governor Lawal further elaborated that the team was ambushed while making their way back from the operation. He confirmed the death of six CPG members and four vigilantes, with their bodies laid to rest on Sunday morning. The governor also disclosed that three individuals were still unaccounted for, with search efforts continuing to locate them.
Upon learning of the incident, Governor Lawal directed that immediate medical assistance be provided to the injured, while relief materials were arranged for the families of those who lost their lives. He also prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and called for divine intervention to bring an end to the ongoing security crisis that has plagued Zamfara State and the wider region for years.
The attack in Anka Local Government highlights the ongoing security challenges faced by Zamfara State, which has been one of the hardest-hit areas in Nigeria’s northwest and north-central regions due to banditry. Over the past few years, bandits have terrorized communities, engaging in abductions, killings, and the destruction of property. These criminal groups often operate in forests and remote areas, where they engage in illegal activities such as kidnapping for ransom, cattle rustling, and armed robbery.
In response to the growing threat, the Zamfara State government, in collaboration with federal security agencies, established the CPG to support the fight against these criminal elements. The CPG, made up of local volunteers, has been actively involved in countering the activities of bandits in the state. Despite the efforts of security forces, including the CPG and the Nigerian Army, the situation remains volatile, with bandits continuing to launch attacks on villages, security operatives, and civilians alike.
The government’s decision to deploy the CPG, alongside the Nigerian Army, has been part of a broader strategy to restore security and peace in the region. However, the attack on the security team in Anka serves as a grim reminder of the dangerous and unpredictable nature of the ongoing conflict.
The killing of the ten security operatives is yet another tragic chapter in the long-running saga of insecurity in Zamfara State. The state has been a focal point for the ongoing conflict between bandits and security forces, with innocent civilians often caught in the crossfire.
As the death toll rises, questions continue to be raised about the effectiveness of the government’s security strategies and the capacity of local and federal forces to contain the threat posed by bandits. Many residents of Zamfara State, especially in rural areas, live in constant fear of attacks by armed groups, which has contributed to the displacement of thousands of people and the disruption of normal life in many parts of the state.
Despite the significant losses incurred by the security forces, the Zamfara State government has vowed to continue its efforts to rid the state of bandits and restore peace. Governor Lawal’s statement emphasized that the government will not relent in its fight against criminal elements and will provide support to the families of the victims, while also calling on residents to remain vigilant and work together with the security forces to ensure the safety of their communities.
