A rescused victim. Photo: Army
Several residents have been reportedly kidnapped, while an army officer and a policeman were confirmed killed in the Kasuwar Daji village of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area in Zamfara State.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident occurred on Sunday at about 1:40am.
An eyewitness, Musa Garba, told PUNCH Metro on the phone on Sunday that more than 70 people were abducted.
Garba said the bandits, who were in large numbers, invaded the village in the early hours of Sunday, where they abducted the villagers after killing two security operatives and an unidentified number of residents.
Narrating the ordeal, Garba, who survived the attack, said the bandits invaded the area at about 1:40 am, shooting sporadically and searching from house to house for their targeted victims.
Garba explained that efforts were made by the military operatives stationed in the area, in collaboration with police personnel and local vigilantes, to foil the attack at its early stage, but they were overwhelmed because of the large number of bandits.
He said, “We commend the military for their efforts to foil the attack, but unfortunately, the bandits escaped into the forest along with the people they abducted.
“The people of the town were running helter-skelter for their dear lives, while women and children became stranded.
“I am telling you, I have never seen such a horrible situation in my life, as you could hear animals screaming, while women and children became helpless.”
Reacting to the development in a press release, the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Nigerian Army / Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba, said the military had successfully forced the bandits to retreat into the forest.
He confirmed that the bandits had abducted an unspecified number of residents from the surrounding community during the attack.
Olaniyi said the successful defence by the military resulted in heavy casualties for the bandits, forcing them to retreat in disarray, which led to the rescue of nine abducted civilians.
Olaniyi said, “The incident occurred at approximately 1:40 am on 2 August 2026, when terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the military facility.
“Alerted troops swiftly detected the hostile movement and responded with coordinated, overwhelming firepower.
“The fierce resistance compelled the terrorists to abandon their mission and withdraw in confusion.
“Following the initial engagement, reinforcements arrived and troops launched a hot pursuit of the fleeing terrorists, who had abducted an unspecified number of residents from the surrounding community during the attack.”
He also confirmed that an army officer and a policeman lost their lives in the incident, while an additional two soldiers sustained various degrees of injuries.
He said, “Regrettably, one Army officer 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.”
He further explained that troops had since secured and dominated the area and were currently conducting exploitation operations to ascertain the full extent of the terrorists’ losses and ensure the safety of the community.
Lt. Col. Olaniyi assured that Operation FANSAN YAMMA remained resolute in its commitment to sustaining offensive operations, protecting vulnerable communities, and dismantling terrorist networks until lasting peace and security were fully restored across the North-West.
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