In a horrifying incident on Saturday night, suspected bandits set fire to a mosque, a Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC), and at least 10 homes in Biyabiki village, located in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The attack, which took place around 8:00 p.m., is believed to be a revenge mission by armed loyalists of notorious bandit leader Adamu Aliero, following the killing of his younger brother and son in a recent ambush.
Residents of Biyabiki village were left shaken as the bandits stormed their community in what appeared to be a well-coordinated attack. According to eyewitnesses, the bandits set fire to several buildings, including the Juma’at mosque and the local health clinic, before fleeing the scene. The entire operation lasted almost an hour, but, thankfully, there were no reports of casualties or abductions.
A local resident, who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons, described the shocking events to *Daily Trust*. “They only set places ablaze, including our Juma’at mosque and the local clinic,” the resident said. “They also destroyed 10 houses in an attack that lasted for nearly an hour.”
The attack appears to be linked to the death of Isuhu Yellow, a close relative of bandit leader Adamu Aliero, who was killed alongside his son during a botched ambush against security forces almost three weeks ago. Sources suggest that the bandits may be retaliating against what they believe was an attack by security personnel that led to the deaths of Aliero’s family members.
While the assailants did not take any lives in this attack, the scale of destruction has left the village in shock. The burning of a mosque, a primary healthcare centre, and homes signifies the deepening insecurity in Zamfara, a state that has seen its fair share of violent confrontations between armed bandits and local communities, despite ongoing military operations.
Earlier in the day, the bandits also launched a similar assault in Tsageru village, where they burned down several homes in what appears to be part of a larger coordinated operation. The community is left confused and fearful as the bandits seem to have launched these attacks without clear demands.
“We don’t know what they want to achieve by burning down public facilities and homes,” said another local resident from Biyabiki. “Our communities have been under constant threat since the death of Isuhu Yellow. We strongly believe this is part of a wider reprisal campaign.” The community fears that these violent reprisals may escalate, with other villages potentially targeted by the bandits.
Zamfara State has been under the grip of violent banditry for several years now, with armed groups terrorizing rural communities. Despite multiple military operations in the region, the frequency of such attacks has not significantly reduced. The bandits, often heavily armed and well-organized, have continued to carry out attacks on villages, burning homes, looting property, kidnapping for ransom, and killing innocent civilians. The latest wave of violence has added to the growing concerns over the state’s security situation.
In recent months, military forces have intensified operations aimed at dislodging bandit groups from their strongholds in the state. However, local communities continue to suffer from attacks, with many villagers living in constant fear of violence. The continued presence of bandits has also led to widespread displacement, with many families fleeing their homes to seek safety in larger towns and cities.
The federal government, along with state authorities, has been under pressure to find a lasting solution to the security crisis in Zamfara and other northwestern states that have been similarly affected by banditry. Despite efforts to curb the violence, there has been little success in bringing the perpetrators to justice. The inability of security forces to completely rid the region of armed groups has left many questioning the effectiveness of current strategies in combating the growing threat of banditry.
In response to the recent attacks, security agencies have called for increased vigilance and cooperation from local communities. They have urged residents to provide information on the movements of bandits and to avoid confrontation, as the bandits are known to be heavily armed and dangerous.
The people of Zamfara, however, continue to live in fear as they wonder when the cycle of violence will end. For many, the destruction of the mosque and healthcare facilities in Biyabiki is a painful reminder of the harsh reality they face daily, with no clear end in sight to the bloodshed and destruction.
In the meantime, residents of Biyabiki and surrounding villages are left to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives, with little support from the state or federal government in sight. As the violence continues, many wonder whether any lasting peace is possible for the people of Zamfara.
This most recent wave of attacks highlights the urgent need for a more effective response to the banditry crisis in the state. With insecurity worsening by the day, the people of Zamfara and neighbouring regions remain in a state of constant anxiety, waiting for a resolution that seems elusive as bandits continue to wreak havoc across the state.
