Bandits Kill 50, Abduct Many in Zamfara Attack

On February 19, 2026, a bandit attack in Dutsin Dan Ajiya village, located in the Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State, resulted in the deaths of at least 50 villagers and the abduction of several others. Armed men on motorcycles blocked roads and opened fire, setting houses ablaze.

Malam Yahaya Muhammad, a resident of Anka town, reported the incident to Blueprint via phone, emphasizing the need for increased military patrols and intelligence operations to restore peace in the area. This attack follows a separate assault in Kebbi State's Arewa Local Government Area, where 33 people were killed.

In reaction to the violence, former Zamfara Governor Sen. Ahmad Sani Yerima Bakura expressed condolences to the victims' families.

The incident coincided with the launch of newly acquired armored personnel carriers by the Minister of Defence, Christoph Musa, aimed at enhancing security and public safety across Zamfara State.