Zamfara Attack: 50 Feared Dead in Anka Village Raid

At least 50 residents were reportedly killed after heavily armed bandits attacked Dutsin Dan Ajiya village in Anka LGA of Zamfara State. Survivors recount hours of gunfire, arson and abductions as security concerns deepen across the North-West.

Zamfara Attack: 50 Feared Dead in Anka Village Raid

By Juliet Ezeh

Zamfara State has been plunged into mourning following a deadly attack on Dutsin Dan Ajiya village in Anka Local Government Area, where at least 50 residents were reportedly killed by armed bandits.

Local sources said the attackers stormed the community on Thursday evening, firing repeatedly and causing widespread panic. Survivors described a coordinated assault in which access roads were blocked, preventing villagers from escaping.

A resident who spoke anonymously said the assailants began shooting after sealing off exit routes, forcing families to flee in different directions. Initial headcounts indicated dozens of fatalities, while several others sustained injuries or remain missing.

Attack Lasted for Hours

According to community members, the raid began around 5pm on Thursday and continued into the early hours of Friday. Homes were reportedly set ablaze, and several residents were abducted during the operation.

A lawmaker representing Bukkuyum South, Hamisu Faru, confirmed to Reuters that the attackers moved from one settlement to another, leaving heavy casualties in their wake.

One villager, Abdullahi Sani, said three members of his family were killed during the attack. He lamented that residents had alerted authorities after spotting more than 150 motorcycles conveying the assailants, but no immediate intervention followed.

Efforts to reach the state police spokesperson, Yazid Abubakar, were unsuccessful as of press time. An aide to the governor also promised to provide updates but had yet to respond.

Security Concerns Deepen in Zamfara

The incident occurred just a day after the Zamfara State Government donated Armoured Personnel Carriers and a surveillance drone to security forces to intensify operations against banditry. The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), had urged troops to take firm action against criminal elements who refuse to surrender.

Zamfara remains one of several North-West states grappling with persistent armed attacks despite ongoing military operations.

Rising Violence Across the North-West

The latest killings follow similar incidents in neighbouring states. In Kebbi State, dozens of residents were recently killed in an attack in Arewa Local Government Area. In Sokoto State, gunmen struck a rural community in Tangaza LGA earlier this month, resulting in fatalities and livestock theft. Katsina State also recorded deadly violence in Faskari LGA in recent weeks.

The recurring attacks have heightened fears about the effectiveness of current security strategies in the region.

Experts Call for Structural Reforms

Reacting to the tragedy, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, Executive Director of the Foundation for Peace Professionals, said the killings reflect a continuing security crisis rather than a resurgence.

He argued that Nigeria’s security framework remains largely reactive, with forces often redeployed from one hotspot to another without establishing lasting local presence.

Hamzat advocated the decentralisation of policing, insisting that state and community-based police structures would provide stronger grassroots intelligence and faster response times in remote areas.

Similarly, security analyst Akin Adeyi urged authorities to adopt a more proactive approach. He suggested that security agencies intensify offensive operations against armed groups to prevent further attacks.

Residents of Dutsin Dan Ajiya are now preparing to bury their dead, as families mourn loved ones lost in yet another episode of violence that underscores the urgent need for lasting security reforms in Nigeria’s North-West.