Fear Grips Zamfara After Bandits Kidnapped Monarch Following NAF Deadly Airstrike

In what appears to be a retaliatory move, bandits have kidnapped a traditional ruler of Yankuzo, Alhaji Babangida Kogo, in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Alhaji Babangida Kogo was abducted on Tuesday evening while trying to flee the area, just hours after a deadly Nigerian Air Force (NAF) operation targeted the bandits’ hideouts in the region.

The monarch was reportedly concerned that surviving bandits would launch revenge attacks after the military’s airstrike.

It was gathered that a large group of armed men riding over 10 motorcycles ambushed the monarch and his security escort near the Mararraba area, close to an abandoned farmland once owned by the late Alhaji Malami Yandoto.

Eyewitnesses told security analyst Zagazola Makama that the attackers took only the traditional ruler and left the others behind.

This kidnapping happened shortly after the Nigerian Air Force, under Operation Hadarin Daji, carried out a targeted airstrike on a group of bandits gathered in the forest between Yankuzo and Munhaye.

Intelligence reports had revealed that dozens of bandits, possibly assembling for a celebration or meeting, were present in the area.

Military sources confirmed that many of the bandits were killed in the strike, while several others were injured.

The bandits were said to be loyal to notorious gang leaders active across Tsafe, Zurmi, and nearby corridors, with some coming in from Katsina and Sokoto states.

“The impact was massive, charred bodies and destroyed motorcycles littered the area after the strike,” a source said.

The military action has sparked panic in the surrounding communities with many residents fleeing the area over reprisal attacks.

A local from Yankuzo, who chose to remain anonymous, said, “We knew they would strike back. That’s why our district head was leaving. Unfortunately, he ran into them before reaching safety.”

Local vigilante groups are now searching for the abducted ruler, while military forces have been deployed to the area to strengthen security and prevent further attacks.

KanyiDaily recalls that 38 kidnapped villagers were recently killed by bandits despite ₦50m ransom payment in Banga village in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State