Armed bandits have ambushed and killed 10 members of community protection groups in Zamfara, specifically around the Bagega area of Anka local government.
Additionally, three security guards have been declared missing, and several others sustained various degrees of injuries during the incident.
The tragic event occurred on Saturday night during a joint task force operation involving members of the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards and local vigilante groups.
They were targeted after successfully raiding bandit hideouts in the Sukai forest.
Reports indicate that the members of the community protection groups and vigilante were returning from the operation when they were attacked by armed bandits in the Bagega area.
Among those killed were six members of the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards and four members of the local vigilante group known as Yan Sakai.
Those missing include two members of the community protection guards and one local vigilante.
Meanwhile, Governor Dauda Lawal confirmed the incident on his verified Facebook page on Sunday.
He reported that the operation led to the deaths of several terrorists and the recovery of a significant amount of weapons from the bandits.
In his post, Governor Lawal also ordered the deployment of additional troops to the affected areas and the supply of emergency relief to the injured and the families of the victims.
He expressed his heartfelt sympathy to the victims’ families and reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring peace throughout the state.
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