Two forest guards and two local residents lost their lives, while a soldier remains unaccounted for following a violent assault by bandits on the community of Tudun Bicci in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State. The attack targeted farmers working on their fields.
Official Confirmation and Death Toll
The Chairman of Danko/Wasagu Local Government, Hussaini Aliyu Bena, confirmed the incident to journalists via telephone. He clarified that contrary to earlier reports suggesting a soldier was killed, the fatalities comprised two forest guards and two civilians. The soldier is currently declared missing.
Bena stated that the attack occurred during an exchange of gunfire between security personnel and the bandits who had descended upon farmers engaged in agricultural activities. Many of the assailants were neutralized in the encounter, while others escaped carrying gunshot wounds.
Government Response and Security Measures
The local government chairman added that the state government, in collaboration with security agencies and the local administration, is implementing strategies to halt the recurring attacks and kidnappings plaguing the area. He attributed the persistent security challenges to the existence of bandit camps in neighboring Zamfara and Niger states.
“Many of the bandits were killed during the encounter while others fled with gunshot wounds,” Bena said. He further urged community members to remain calm as the government and security forces work on measures to restore lasting peace to the region.
Broader Context of Insecurity
The attack underscores the ongoing security crisis in northwestern Nigeria, where bandit groups frequently target rural communities for kidnapping, looting, and murder. The proximity to Zamfara and Niger states has facilitated the movement of armed gangs, making cross-border operations a persistent threat. Local authorities continue to call for enhanced security deployments and intelligence sharing to dismantle the criminal networks responsible for the violence.
