By Brown pigeon media
Hundreds of residents of Lilo village in Mada District of Gusau Local Government Area, Zamfara State, have fled their homes following a fresh bandit attack that struck the community on Tuesday night.
The assault reportedly occurred just hours after security personnel previously stationed in the area withdrew, leaving residents vulnerable to нападение.
Eyewitnesses who spoke from a temporary camp said fear gripped the community after about 30 settlements had already been deserted due to the sudden absence of security forces.
One of the displaced residents, Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, lamented that the attackers stormed the village shortly after troops left.
> “Bandits overran the village a few hours after security agents left. We are appealing to the government to save our village. They are setting our homes ablaze,” he said.
He added that residents had earlier been escorted to Gusau by military operatives to purchase essential supplies, but later discovered that the troops were no longer present upon their return.
Another resident, who preferred anonymity, revealed that Lilo village had enjoyed relative peace for over seven years due to the presence of security personnel deployed in 2019 under former governor Bello Matawalle.
According to him, the troops—numbering over 60—evacuated the area late Monday night using Armoured Personnel Carriers and a Toyota Hilux vehicle.
He further disclosed that the withdrawal was linked to fears of possible ambush during the rainy season, which often renders the area inaccessible due to flooding.
> “There is a river that cuts off access during heavy rains. Last year, troops were ambushed and six personnel were killed because reinforcement could not reach them,” he explained.
Residents also noted that several bandit camps are located within a 3-kilometre radius of Lilo, with some reportedly occupying farmlands around the village.
The attack has forced mass displacement, with at least 30 surrounding communities relocating toward the state capital. Authorities are said to be making arrangements to resettle them in nearby safer areas.
Confirming the incident, the Zamfara State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, stated that the Commissioner of Police, A. M. Bello, had deployed tactical teams supported by Armoured Personnel Carriers to restore order.
> “With the presence of police personnel, normalcy has been restored,” he said.
Meanwhile, Captain David Adewusi, spokesperson for Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY), said he was unaware of the military’s withdrawal but promised to investigate.
Efforts to obtain official comments from the Zamfara State Government were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report, as the spokesperson to Governor Dauda Lawal, Suleiman Bala Idris, could not be reached.
The incident underscores ongoing security challenges in rural communities across Zamfara, particularly in areas with limited access and proximity to bandit enclaves.