Zamfara Bandit Attack: 12 Family Members Burnt to Death as Military Reports Killing of Over 50 Terrorists Nationwide
At least 12 members of a family have been killed after suspected bandits set their residence ablaze during a deadly attack on Gidan Taba village in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The attack, which occurred on Saturday night, November 7, in Dosara Birnin Kaya Ward, also reportedly resulted in the abduction of several residents, further highlighting the worsening security situation in Nigeria’s North-West.
The victims were members of the family of Mallam Muhammadu Sani, reportedly a local vigilante involved in resisting bandit activities in the area.
According to accounts from residents, the family members had taken refuge inside a room after armed men invaded the community and began abducting residents.
The attackers reportedly discovered their hiding place and ordered them to open the door. When the occupants refused, the gunmen set the room and surrounding structure ablaze, trapping those inside.
The Chairman of Maradun Local Government Area, Sanusi Ahmed Dosara, confirmed the deaths, describing the incident as heartbreaking and devastating.
He said the victims included a father, his wives and young children, adding that they died from the intense heat generated by the fire.
The deceased were buried on Sunday morning in accordance with Islamic rites.
Several other residents were reportedly abducted during the attack, although the exact number remained unclear. Local vigilantes were said to have intercepted the attackers and secured the release of some abductees following an exchange of gunfire.
The Zamfara State Police Command also confirmed the incident, although its reported casualty figure differed from that given by the local government chairman.
The attack comes amid renewed concerns over banditry, killings and mass abductions in Zamfara and neighbouring states.
Military Reports Neutralisation of Over 50 Terrorists
The latest tragedy comes against the backdrop of sustained military operations across the country, during which troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria reportedly neutralised more than 50 terrorists, rescued scores of kidnapped victims and arrested several suspected criminals between October 30 and November 5, 2026.
The operations, conducted across the North-East, North-West, North-Central and South-East geopolitical zones, also resulted in the recovery of arms, ammunition, motorcycles and other logistics allegedly used by criminal groups.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed the development in a statement detailing the Armed Forces’ weekly operational activities on Friday, November 6.
In the North-West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA reportedly rescued 18 kidnapped victims during separate operations in Kebbi and Zamfara states.
Onoja said troops, acting on a distress call from Ribah in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State on October 30, cleared the Ribah-Dirindaji Road and launched a search-and-rescue operation, forcing the terrorists to abandon seven kidnapped victims.
Similarly, troops responding to an ambush along the Wasagu-Falfala Road on October 31 reportedly forced the attackers to flee, abandoning four victims who had been kidnapped from their farms.
Seven additional victims were rescued around Geso and Ayan Geso in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, as well as Sabon Tunga and Binoni villages in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
The military also reported the arrest of two suspected kidnappers and cattle rustlers at Sabon Gida in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Another suspected terrorist, who reportedly sustained gunshot wounds during a confrontation with a rival faction, was arrested at a medical facility in Kagarko Local Government Area.
Major Successes in the North-East
In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded significant successes in Borno and Yobe states after repelling coordinated terrorist attacks on military positions at Buni Yadi in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State and Bitta in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to Onoja, terrorists approached Buni Yadi from the Timbuktu Triangle axis on the night of October 29 but were effectively repelled by troops.
A subsequent exploitation operation on October 30 led to the recovery of 48 terrorist bodies, 42 AK-47 rifles, five PKT machine guns, four general-purpose machine guns, one 60mm mortar, 105 magazines and two video cameras.
Troops subsequently recovered three additional terrorist bodies, an AK-47 rifle and 188 rounds of ammunition around Apama and Jauro Bashir along the terrorists’ withdrawal route.
At Bitta, troops also repelled an attempted terrorist infiltration, recovering seven bodies, four AK-47 rifles, an RPG tube, four RPG bombs, three RPG chargers, a PKM machine gun and a radio.
The Defence spokesman further disclosed that 12 terrorist fighters and their family members surrendered to troops at different locations in Borno State between November 2 and 4.
He attributed the surrender to sustained military pressure and disagreements between rival JAS and ISWAP factions.
Troops also rescued a female abductee who escaped from the Mandara Mountains at Hudugum, Hambagda, along the Gwoza-Limankara Road.
Onoja added that 50 suspected terrorists, collaborators and logistics suppliers were arrested during the period, including individuals apprehended at Benisheikh in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.
Three suspected logistics suppliers were intercepted at Damboa, while two suspected fighters from the Diffa region of Niger Republic were arrested at Garin Gada in Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State.
In another operation, troops working with personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency arrested 36 suspects during searches at motor parks in Maiduguri on November 5, as part of efforts to disrupt terrorist supply networks.
Operations in the North-Central
In the North-Central, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE arrested a suspected terrorist during stop-and-search operations at Kukawa Village in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State on November 4.
The suspect was reportedly found with an AK-47 magazine and a round of 7.62mm Special ammunition and allegedly confessed to belonging to a terrorist syndicate led by an individual identified as Kaura.
Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE also recorded successes against kidnappers and armed criminal groups in Benue, Kogi and Taraba states.
According to Onoja, troops discovered and destroyed a criminal hideout in Edimogbo Forest on November 2, recovering 1,000 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, seven bandoliers, six motorcycles and a mobile phone.
Subsequent operations on November 3 reportedly led to the neutralisation of two suspected kidnappers and the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and more than 5,000 rounds of ammunition.
On November 4, troops operating in Obele Forest neutralised three additional suspected kidnappers and recovered four AK-47 rifles, 12 magazines, 336 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and three bandoliers.
The military also rescued six kidnapped civilians, including a baby, following a distress call at Jeb Jeb Village in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.
A wanted member of the Konyo Boys bandit group was arrested at Ahmadu Village in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State. An AK-47 rifle and a mobile phone were recovered following the suspect’s disclosure.
In Kogi State, a terrorist, his wife and two children surrendered to troops at Atsawa in Lokoja Local Government Area, handing over an AK-47 rifle, four rounds of ammunition and a radio.
Troops also arrested a suspected logistics supplier at Jamata in Lokoja, who allegedly confessed to supplying terrorists loyal to the late Kachallah Baccujo in Agbaja Forest.
Another suspected gunrunner was apprehended in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State.
More Kidnapped Victims Rescued in Niger and Kwara
Similarly, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD rescued 15 kidnapped victims during an encounter with bandits around Rijiyan Nagwamatse in Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger State on November 5.
The operation also resulted in the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, three RPG bombs, 33 motorcycles, ₦4.105 million and assorted ammunition.
In Kwara State, troops working alongside members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria reportedly neutralised two Ansaru terrorists who attacked Nanu Village in Kaiama Local Government Area on November 4.
Other operations in Niger and Kwara states led to the arrest of an injured kidnapping suspect at Dusai Village in Mariga Local Government Area and the rescue of three victims who escaped from their captors in Lema-Ndeji Forest in Edu Local Government Area.
South-East Operations
In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA rescued a kidnapped victim following an attack by gunmen on a compound at Okwe Ubahu Nneato in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State on November 4.
Troops also recovered a pump-action rifle, a damaged hunting rifle and 13 cartridges during a search of a shop near the Marine Outpost at Otuocha in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Onoja said the sustained operations demonstrated the Armed Forces’ commitment to dismantling criminal networks, protecting lives and property and restoring lasting peace across the country.
He quoted the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, as commending the courage, resilience and sacrifices of troops operating in various theatres, while honouring the memory of personnel and a civilian hunter who lost their lives in the line of duty.
The CDS also wished wounded personnel a speedy recovery and acknowledged the contributions of other security agencies, stressing the importance of collaboration, intelligence sharing and coordinated operational planning.
He urged traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to strengthen cooperation with security agencies by providing credible information about suspicious movements and activities through the nearest military formation or the toll-free emergency line 193.
Oluyede further cautioned citizens against providing logistics support to criminal groups, engaging in mob action or spreading misinformation and disinformation.
He called on troops to remain vigilant, disciplined and combat-ready, noting that criminal elements remained dangerous even when wounded or under pressure.
The Armed Forces assured Nigerians that military operations would continue in collaboration with relevant stakeholders until lasting peace, security and stability were restored across the country.
However, the November 7 killings in Gidan Taba, Maradun, underscore the continuing security challenges facing communities in Zamfara and the North-West, despite the military’s reported gains in its operations during the preceding week.