Manny Ita –
Governor Dauda Lawal has expressed profound grief and deep sorrow over the most recent wave of banditry in Bukkuyum Local Government Area, where coordinated night raids on Bunkasau, Yar Galma (Zarumai Ward), and Dogon Daji (Adabka Ward) resulted in a high number of casualties and widespread displacement. Describing the targeted assaults as a “heartbreaking and senseless act of violence against defenceless citizens,” the Governor noted that the timing of the attacks highlights the persistent vulnerability of rural farming communities despite ongoing military operations.
In a swift administrative response, the Governor dispatched a high-level delegation led by the Deputy Governor to the affected wards to assess the scale of the destruction and provide immediate humanitarian relief. Beyond offering condolences for the “immense loss and devastation,” the state government has mandated that all medical facilities in the region prioritize the treatment of survivors at no cost. This latest tragedy occurs amidst a complex security landscape in Zamfara, where the state-backed “Community Protection Guards” are being increasingly integrated with federal forces to combat the entrenched networks of armed gangs operating out of the surrounding forest reserves.
Reiterating his administration’s “Rescue Mission” agenda, Governor Lawal assured the public that the state would not be intimidated by the resurgence of violence. He emphasized a renewed resolve to “intensify efforts to safeguard lives and restore peace across all communities,” signaling a potential increase in tactical deployments to the Bukkuyum axis. The Governor urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies, maintaining that a unified front is essential to dismantling the banditry infrastructure that has long plagued the Northwest region.
