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Gusau, Zamfara State – By Prime Brief Media

A large number of gunmen stormed Bagega village in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State on Saturday, burning a section of a military camp, setting two military vehicles ablaze, and looting dozens of shops during a busy weekly market. According to preliminary accounts from residents and security sources, the attack began in the late afternoon and lasted several hours, with the bandits overpowering security personnel after bringing in reinforcements on motorcycles.

Eyewitnesses told Prime Brief Media that the attackers, numbering over a hundred, arrived from the direction of the nearby forest and immediately opened fire on the military station, forcing soldiers to retreat into the community. “They burnt the camp and two Hilux vans. People ran in different directions. The bandits then moved to the market and took everything—food, money, phones,” said a trader who gave his name only as Musa. Two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds and were evacuated to a medical facility, while several civilians were treated for minor injuries at a local clinic.

The attack on Bagega underscores the persistent threat in Zamfara, where large swathes of forest have become safe havens for bandits. Despite ongoing military operations, communities remain vulnerable to raids. A security source who requested anonymity confirmed the incident, saying “we are reviewing the circumstances and will reinforce the area. The initial number of troops was insufficient to repel such a coordinated assault.”

As of Monday, no group had claimed responsibility, but the modus operandi closely matches that of bandit factions operating in the Zurmi-Kaura Namoda corridor. Community leaders have called for the permanent deployment of a larger troop contingent and improved intelligence sharing to prevent future attacks.

Prime Brief Media will continue to track security and rescue efforts across the state as this story develops.

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