Furdaus Obiremi
At least 22 people are feared dead after suspected bandits ambushed traders travelling under military escort in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, reportedly targeted traders travelling from Gurusu to Gwashi to attend the community’s weekly market.
The incident has heightened concerns over the persistent insecurity in the North-West state, where repeated attacks by armed groups have continued to threaten lives, disrupt commercial activities and undermine the movement of residents.
A resident of the area, Malam Aminu Gwashi, who confirmed the incident, said several people were reportedly killed during the attack, including some security personnel.
He added that many others sustained injuries and were taken to Bukkuyum General Hospital for medical attention.
Although the exact number of casualties had yet to be officially established as of the time of filing this report, the reported death toll of at least 22 underscores the severity of the attack.
The circumstances surrounding the ambush, including how the attackers overwhelmed the military escort and whether any arrests had been made, remained unclear.
The incident also raises fresh questions about the safety of residents who depend on escorted movements to access markets and conduct their daily economic activities in communities affected by banditry.
Gwashi and Bukkuyum have suffered repeated attacks by suspected bandits in recent times, with the persistent insecurity disrupting trading activities and other sources of livelihood.
For traders travelling to weekly markets, such attacks pose a serious threat not only to their lives but also to the local economy, as fear of violence can discourage movement, reduce market attendance and affect the supply of essential goods.
Efforts to obtain the military’s reaction to the latest incident were unsuccessful.
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