Troops, vigilantes foil bandits’ attack in Zamfara, Plateau

Troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with local vigilantes, have repelled a bandit attack on the Fegin Mahe community in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The attack reportedly triggered the movement of residents fleeing the community earlier on Thursday amid fears of further violence.

Also, troops of Operation Enduring Peace have arrested a suspected bandit and recovered an AK-47 rifle after foiling an ambush on a school staff member and his son along the Dorowa Babuje axis in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The troops have been recording successes in operations against bandits and terrorists in the North-West, North-East and North-Central.

According to local sources, some of the bandits in Zamfara communities were killed during the encounter, while others fled following the intervention of the security personnel.

Reinforcements were also reportedly deployed to the area to strengthen security and prevent the attackers from regrouping or launching another assault.

“The Nigerian Army, in collaboration with vigilantes, has repelled the bandit attack on Fegin Mahe community,” a local source said.

The source added that the swift response of the security personnel helped to repel the attackers, noting that some of the bandits were killed while others escaped.

The development comes amid persistent security challenges in parts of Zamfara State, where armed groups have continued to threaten communities, attack residents and disrupt livelihoods.

The joint operation between the military and local vigilantes highlights the role of community-based security collaboration in responding to attacks and protecting vulnerable residents.

However, details regarding the number of casualties among the attackers, possible civilian casualties and the extent of damage to the community were not immediately available.

There was also no official statement from the Nigerian Army or the Zamfara State Police Command on the incident as of the time of filing this report.

• Tinubu orders security chiefs to rescue abductees, clear bandit camps
• Army trains senior officers in leadership
• Boko Haram, ISWAP threats persist — Fintiri

In a statement on Thursday issued by the Berom Youth Moulders-Association and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong, the Plateau incident occurred on Thursday, October 15, 2026, when Mr Gyang Luka, a staff member of Eliztor Private School, Barkin Ladi, and his son, who are residents of Fan District, were travelling on a motorcycle and were ambushed by suspected bandits identified as Fulani militants.

The statement said, “The Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM), under the leadership of Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, Esq., commends the personnel of Operation Enduring Peace, popularly known as the Special Task Force (STF), for their swift response that foiled an ambush which, by all human calculations, could have claimed the lives of a staff member of Eliztor Private School, Barkin Ladi LGA, Mr Gyang Luka, and his son along the Dorowa Babuje axis on Thursday, October 15, 2026.”

It added that “The swift military response led to the arrest of one of the suspected terrorists and the recovery of an AK-47 rifle from the attacker, although other armed members of the gang narrowly escaped towards a Fulani settlement in the Jong area of Ropp District, Barkin Ladi LGA.”

While commending the troops, the statement said, “BYM salutes the gallantry and swift response demonstrated by the security agents.

“The association urges the military not only to sustain its efforts through intensified patrols and intelligence-led operations but also to conduct a comprehensive and discreet investigation into the banditry and terrorist networks, leaving no stone unturned in tracking down the fleeing suspects to their hideouts in Jong and other locations.”

The group also raised concern over a video circulating on social media purporting to show Berom militias mobilising to attack Fulani communities.

“The association expresses concern over what appears to be an AI-doctored video circulating on social media, allegedly showing ‘Berom militias’ moving to attack Fulani communities. This narrative contradicts information about the incident and risks distorting the facts,” the statement noted.

BYM further urged security agencies to invite the creator of the video for questioning, stating that “A critical examination of the video raises serious questions, particularly in light of the intelligence-led operation that resulted in the arrest, reportedly involving security personnel and local vigilantes.”

It warned that “such content, potentially circulated by sympathisers of armed groups, not only undermines accountability, fuels tension and diverts attention from the real security challenges facing Nigerians in this part of the country but also highlights how terrorist networks and armed extremist groups continue to perpetrate serious crimes on the Plateau, across the Middle Belt and in other parts of Nigeria.”

The association called on security agencies, media organisations and social media users to verify footage before sharing.

“The sophistication of modern technology has created opportunities for fabricated content to thrive, particularly where allegations are not thoroughly investigated, and individuals responsible for circulating misleading material are not held accountable,” it added.

It concluded that the protection of lives and property must remain paramount and that the arrest should lead to further efforts to dismantle criminal networks.