Bandits Burn Family Alive, Abduct Residents in Deadly Attack

Bandits Burn Family Alive, Abduct Residents in Deadly Attack

A family seeking refuge from armed attackers inside their home suffered a devastating fate after bandits set their residence ablaze, killing several occupants and abducting other residents in Zamfara State.

The attack occurred around 10 pm on Saturday in Gidan Taba village, Maradun Local Government Area, where residents alleged that repeated distress calls to security agencies failed to attract timely assistance.

According to a resident who spoke to Daily Trust anonymously, the attackers invaded the residence of Mallam Muhammadu Sani, forcing 13 members of his family to take shelter inside a room.

Those trapped included Sani, his two wives, six children and the wife of his younger brother, alongside their three children.

The attackers reportedly demanded that the occupants open the door, but when they refused, the gunmen set the room ablaze. Only the wife of Sani’s younger brother escaped, while the remaining 12 occupants died from the intense heat and fire.

Seven other residents were reportedly abducted during the attack, although the local government chairman later disclosed that local vigilantes engaged the attackers and secured the release of some captives.

Residents said they immediately contacted the Maradun Local Government Chairman, Sanusi Ahmed Dosara, who attempted to reach security formations without success.

One resident expressed disappointment that security personnel failed to respond despite the community’s proximity to Maradun, where military, mobile police and conventional police formations are located.

He also disputed reports of police reinforcement, claiming that officers only visited the community to obtain information about the incident before leaving.

Dosara, who led funeral prayers for the victims on Sunday, described the incident as heartbreaking, confirming that the occupants died from the extreme heat after the attackers set their room ablaze.

He explained that the attackers employed diversionary tactics, firing in different directions to confuse security personnel and conceal their positions.

The Zamfara State Police Command confirmed the attack but put the death toll at 11, against the 12 reported by residents and the local government chairman.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said the command received information through the Divisional Police Officer overseeing the area.

He described Sani as an active member of the community’s vigilante group who had participated in efforts to defend the village against armed attacks.

Abubakar also confirmed the deployment of additional police personnel to strengthen security in the community.

The tragedy comes amid repeated attacks across Zamfara, where residents have experienced killings, kidnappings and displacement. Barely a week earlier, five police officers were killed in an ambush along the Gusau-Sokoto highway within Maradun Local Government Area.

Security expert Dr Kabiru Adamu described the Gidan Taba killings as a targeted reprisal against a vigilante who had resisted bandit attacks.

Speaking to Daily Trust, the Chairman of Beacon Security Consulting warned that attacking the families of community defenders could discourage other residents from resisting armed groups.

He said such violence was designed to weaken local defence structures and leave communities vulnerable to further attacks.

Adamu also criticised the attention politicians were giving to activities ahead of the 2027 general elections while insecurity continued to threaten lives and livelihoods.

He called for stronger political commitment, intelligence-led operations, sustained security presence and accountability among officials responsible for protecting citizens.

Another security analyst, Dr Yahuza Getso, questioned how the attackers operated and escaped despite the reported proximity of security formations to Gidan Taba.

He demanded an investigation into the distress calls allegedly made during the attack and the response of security agencies.

Getso also called for investigations into individuals suspected of supplying bandits with ammunition, food, shelter and other logistical support.

He maintained that tackling insecurity required identifying not only armed perpetrators but also the networks sustaining their operations.