Bandits capture Nigerian military base in Zamfara; kill 12 officers, seize weapons
Armed bandits have overrun a Nigerian military base in Zamfara, Peoples Gazette has learnt, marking a major setback in the campaign to curb violent crimes across the state.
The bandits struck a forward operating base in Mutumji, Dansadau, about 80 kilometres south of the capital Gusau, at about 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, The Gazette learnt from military sources.
Officials immediately confirmed 12 fatalities, comprising nine Nigerian Air Force officers, two police officers and one Nigerian Army soldier. It was not immediately clear the level of fire that the soldiers returned to prevent the base from being sacked.
All slain personnel were evacuated to Yerima Bakura Specialist Hospital in Gusau and the three wounded have been receiving treatments at a brigade medical facility, officials said.
The attackers also seized weapons from the killed service members and set ablaze other equipment in the facility.
The number of security forces manning the base was not immediately clear. The base has served as a crucial point operation for logistics and reconnaissance efforts to rout out bandits operating between the eastern flank of Zamfara and western Katsina.
Last month, the criminals shut down a Nigerian Air Force jet, forcing the pilot to eject before the fighter went up in flames as it hit the forest.
Over the weekend, presidential spokesman Femi Adesina said the bandits were pleading for mercy after President Muhammadu Buhari ordered a large-scale military effort across the troubled North-West.
Telecom signals have already been shut down across Zamfara, with regulators saying the demand came from the military who wanted to barricade the bandits in a forest before eliminating them.
The Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force did not return separate requests seeking comments about the development from The Gazette on Sunday night.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Rights
Lawyer sues NERC, AEDC over electricity tariff hike
He argued that the alleged fixing of tariffs using U.S. dollars in Nigeria is uncalled for and against public policy.
Politics
Kogi Guber: Tribunal adjourns hearing until May 13
The petitioners are challenging Mr Ododo’s victory in the November 11, 2023, governorship election in Kogi.
Agriculture
FG distributes concentrates to cattle farmers affected by 2022 floods in Plateau
The director urged the farmers to use the palliatives wisely, adding that they were meant to assist them in boosting their production.
NationWide
Nigeria’s Gbenga Agboola named vice chairman, U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Africa Business Centre
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Africa Business Centre said Flutterwave’s commitment to strengthening U.S.-Africa ties was the catalyst for Mr Agboola’s appointment.
NationWide
Nigerians must support Tinubu as he ‘works hard’ to address country’s challenges: Governor Ododo
The governor said Mr Tinubu was aware of the strategic implications of any breach of security in Kogi as a gateway state to the North and the South.
Education
We are open to public scrutiny, NELFUND tells Nigerians
The managing director said that NELFUND, under his watch, would not deviate from its sole mandate of giving as many loans as possible to Nigerians in need of them.