Terror swept across Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State over the weekend, as heavily armed bandits launched a series of coordinated attacks on no fewer than 16 villages, killing at least five residents and abducting scores, mostly women.

Local sources confirmed that the assaults began on Saturday and continued into Sunday, leaving behind a trail of bloodshed, destruction, and fear.

According to residents, eight villages, Dan Isa, Kyatawa, Tudu, Gidan Haruna, Tsunburburawa, Gidan Juli, Tokarawa, and Gidan Bako, came under attack on Saturday, with the assailants looting shops, rustling livestock, and abducting women and girls.

 “On Sunday, the bandits attacked Kwalau village and killed four people,  Abubakar, Murtala, Aminu, and Bello. Another victim, Ashafa, sustained gunshot wounds and is receiving treatment at Kaura Namoda General Hospital,” a local resident told Daily Trust.

The situation escalated when local vigilantes confronted the bandits during their retreat, leading to a prolonged gunfight. The confrontation appeared to repel the attackers momentarily.

“Our local security operatives blocked their exit route and exchanged gunfire with them for over 30 minutes. They eventually withdrew,” the resident said.

However, in a retaliatory strike the next morning, the bandits returned in larger numbers and launched a direct attack on the vigilante group. Four vigilante members were gunned down, while another sustained injuries. The attackers also abducted several women and carted away valuables, including food supplies and household items.

 “The bandits stormed the vigilantes’ usual meeting point and opened fire without warning,” another resident said.

In Gidan Juji and Gidan Bako, the raiders looted and rustled dozens of livestock, including sheep, goats, and cows. In Kyatawa village, they vandalized and emptied provision shops, forcing residents to flee into nearby forests for safety.

 “Many people are still hiding in the bush. We can’t even confirm the number of those kidnapped. Most of them are women,” a community source added.

The recurring attacks have left locals feeling abandoned by government and security authorities.

 “Hardly a day passes without reports of attacks. The bandits operate freely as though there is no security presence here,” one resident lamented. “We are appealing to the government to deploy adequate forces to stop these killings and abductions.”

Attempts to reach the spokesperson of the Zamfara State Police Command, Yazio Abubakar, for official comment were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages to his mobile line went unanswered at the time of filing this report.

Zamfara State has remained one of the epicentres of violent banditry in northern Nigeria, with increasing concerns over the safety of rural communities and the slow pace of government intervention.