Suspected bandits reportedly attacked Kasuwar-Daji community in Kaura Namoda Local Council Area of Zamfara State, overrunning a military outpost, killing four soldiers and abducting about 70 residents.

However, troops of Sector 2, Operation Fansan Yamma, deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Kasuwan-Daji in Kaura Namoda Local Council Area of Zamfara State, have reportedly foiled an attempted infiltration by terrorists, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers and rescuing nine abducted civilians.

The army also denied, as rumours, the online reports that six personnel died, saying that “regrettably, one army and one police officer paid the supreme price during the heavy firefight. Additionally, two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds and were promptly evacuated by air for advanced medical care; both personnel remain in stable condition.”

Meanwhile, the Zamfara State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has sent condolences to the families of the four security personnel who lost their lives in the recent bandits’ attack on Kasuwar Daji and the entire people of the state.

In a statement by the state publicity secretary, Abdulkareem Umar, the party said it was “deeply saddened by reports of the tragic incident, which also led to the abduction of several innocent citizens.”

Condemning the incident as a senseless act of violence, the ADC called on security agencies to intensify efforts at rescuing the victims and bringing the perpetrators to justice, saying that “the safety and protection of the lives and property of citizens must remain a top priority”

In the meantime, Katsina State Governor, Dr Dikko Radda, has called on Nigerians to sustain their supplications for a quick end to Nigeria’s security challenges.

Radda spoke over the weekend at the wedding ceremony of two children of the member representing Mashi/Dutsi Federal Constituency, Salisu Majigiri, at the Central Mosque in Mashi Local Council Area.

The governor, who said that government at federal and state levels were also intensifying efforts at tackling the security situation in the country, said Nigerians needed to complement such efforts through continued supplication for a speedy end to the problem, among others.

The incident was disclosed in a post on X yesterday by journalist Bakatsine, who reports on conflict and insecurity in Nigeria’s North-West. He said the attackers stormed the community on Saturday night and overpowered the troops stationed at a military outpost, alleging further that four soldiers were killed during the attack and several others were wounded.

The assailants also reportedly set a military Hilux vehicle and soldiers’ accommodation ablaze before reinforcements arrived from Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.

According to Bakatsine, after attacking the military position, the bandits invaded the community, abducting about 70 residents, mostly women and children, and looting several shops before fleeing the area.

Describing the incident as another tragedy for communities grappling with insecurity, Bakatsine lamented the continued attacks on rural settlements in the state.

The Nigerian Army and the Zamfara State Government had yet to issue an official statement on the reported attack as of the time of filing this report.

Nevertheless, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Lt.-Col. Olaniyi Osoba, said the troops swiftly detected the hostile movement and responded with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, causing the terrorists to abandon their mission.

The incident was said to have occurred at about 01:40 a.m. yesterday, when the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the military facility.

According to Osoba, the troops were reinforced and launched a hot pursuit of the fleeing terrorists, who had abducted an unspecified number of residents from the surrounding community during the attack.

He added that “troops have since secured and dominated the area, and are currently conducting exploitation operations to ascertain the full extent of the terrorists’ losses and ensure the safety of the community.”