Bandits killed at least nine security personnel and several civilians in a raid in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State. Residents and unnamed sources gave the figure. The report gave no date for the raid. Deputy Governor Mani Malam Mumini visited Gwashi town on Sunday to condole with residents. Youths blocked the town entrance and chanted “Bamayi”, which translates as “We don’t want you”. The deputy governor and his security detail took cover and awaited reinforcements.
Zamfara has been the epicentre of Nigeria’s banditry crisis for over a decade. Armed groups operate from forest camps across Bukkuyum, Anka, Maru and Zurmi. In 2021, the state shut down telecom services across several LGAs to disrupt coordination. In 2022, it granted amnesty to some fighters. The killings continued. Gwashi has been attacked repeatedly. Residents say government visits come after the funerals, not during the fighting.
Residents told reporters that no government official visited during or immediately after the attack. Officials came days later. One resident said nobody from government came while they were under attack and mourning their dead. The state government issued no immediate statement.
The “Bamayi” chant carries political weight. The phrase was used during the 2027 campaign cycle to reject the ruling party in Zamfara. Residents used it against the deputy governor at a condolence visit. That is unusual. Condolence visits are traditionally respected. Blocking one signals deep anger.
The death toll is contested. The report said at least nine security personnel. Several civilians were also killed. The figure has not been independently verified. The report qualified its account with “reportedly”.
The attack exposes the gap between federal and state security promises. The military operates in the state. The police operate. Local vigilantes operate. None prevented the raid. None responded in time.
Winners: The bandits, who escaped. No one else. Losers: The nine or more security personnel killed. The civilians killed. Their families. Residents of Gwashi, who feel abandoned. The deputy governor, who was chased away. The Zamfara State Government, whose response is questioned. The security agencies, whose presence did not prevent the attack.
Bottom Line: Nine security personnel died. Civilians died. Nobody from government came. When the deputy governor arrived, they told him to leave. Zamfara’s people have lost faith in condolence visits. They want protection, not sympathy.