Bandits attacked traders under military guard, many feared dead

Daring bandits early Sunday morning ambushed traders in Zamfara State who were being escorted to the market by soldiers of the Nigerian Army.

At least 22 people are feared killed in the gunfire that followed the attack.

The traders traveled from Gurusu to Gwashi in Bukkuyum Local Government Area to attend the weekly market in Gwashi.

A local resident, Malam Aminu Gwashi, who confirmed the incident, said several people, including security personnel, were reported killed in the attack.

He added that many other people suffered injuries and were rushed to Bukkuyum General Hospital for medical treatment.

Gwashi and Bukkuyum communities have experienced repeated bandit attacks in recent times, disrupting commercial and other economic activities in the region.

Efforts to get comment from the military were unsuccessful as Fansan Yamma Operations Information Officer, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, did not respond to phone calls.

Likewise, the 8th Division Information Officer, Major Osoba Olaniyi, did not respond to calls seeking confirmation on the incident.

At the time of filing this report, neither the Nigerian Army nor the Zamfara State Police Command had issued an official statement regarding the attack.