Bandits attack traders under military escort, many feared dead

Daredevil bandits in the early hours of Sunday laid ambush on traders in Zamfara State who were being escorted to market by soldiers of the Nigerian Army.

At least 22 people are feared to have died in the gun battle that followed the attack.

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

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

He added that many others sustained injuries and were rushed to Bukkuyum General Hospital for medical attention.

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

Efforts to obtain comments from the military were unsuccessful as the Information Officer of Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, did not respond to calls.

Similarly, the Information Officer of the 8 Division, Maj. Osoba Olaniyi, did not respond to calls seeking confirmation of the incident.

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