The Zamfara State Government has strongly condemned a deadly bandit attack on Gwargwabe village in Nahuce District of Bungudu Local Government Area, which claimed the lives of four residents and led to the destruction of homes and food supplies.
The attack occurred on Thursday evening, shortly before Maghrib prayers, when armed bandits invaded the village. Witnesses said the attackers arrived in large numbers, shooting sporadically and setting houses and food storage facilities on fire, forcing residents to flee for safety.
Four people, three men and one woman were killed during the attack. Several livestock were also lost, either stolen or killed by the attackers. The destruction of food items has raised fears of hunger in the community, as many families rely on stored farm produce to survive the dry season.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Zamfara State Government described the attack as cruel and unacceptable. The government said it stands with the people of Gwargwabe and would take firm steps to improve security in the area.
According to the statement, the Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Mallam Mani Malam Mummuni, represented Governor Dauda Lawal at the funeral prayers and burial of the victims. The visit was meant to show the government’s sympathy and support for the affected families and the wider community.
While addressing residents during the visit, the deputy governor announced the approval of a military base in Gwargwabe village. He said the base would help strengthen security presence and allow for faster response to attacks in Nahuce District and surrounding areas.
“The government will not abandon you,” the deputy governor told residents. “This military base will improve security and help prevent further attacks. We are determined to restore peace to this community.”
He also urged residents to cooperate fully with security agencies by providing timely and accurate information about suspicious movements or activities in their area. According to him, community support is vital in the fight against banditry and other criminal acts.
The District Head of Nahuce, Alhaji Sulaiman Marafa, provided further details about the attack. He said the bandits targeted Gwargwabe village because the community refused to pay levies demanded by the criminals.
According to him, bandits in the area often impose illegal taxes on villages, demanding money, food, or livestock in exchange for safety. Communities that refuse to comply are often attacked as punishment.
“This attack happened because the people refused to pay the levies demanded by the bandits,” Marafa said. “They came in the evening, burned houses and food, and killed innocent people.”
The attack on Gwargwabe is the latest in a series of violent incidents linked to banditry in Zamfara State. For several years, the state has been one of the worst-hit areas in Nigeria’s north-west, with bandits carrying out killings, kidnappings, cattle rustling, and attacks on rural communities.
Many villages across Bungudu, Anka, Maru, and other local government areas have suffered similar attacks, leading to loss of lives, displacement of residents, and disruption of farming activities. This has worsened poverty and food insecurity in the state.
Governor Dauda Lawal, since assuming office, has repeatedly pledged to tackle insecurity through cooperation with federal security agencies and support for local security efforts. The approval of a military base in Gwargwabe is seen as part of these efforts to bring security closer to vulnerable communities.
The deputy governor was accompanied to Gwargwabe by the Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Bilyaminu Ismail Moriki, the Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area, and other top government officials. Their presence was meant to underline the seriousness with which the state government views the incident.
Residents of Gwargwabe expressed mixed feelings of grief and hope. While mourning the loss of their loved ones and the destruction of their homes, many welcomed the government’s promise to establish a military base in the village.
Some residents called on the government to ensure that the promise is fulfilled quickly, warning that delays could expose the community to further attacks.