Troops of the Nigerian Army, working with local vigilantes, have repelled a bandit attack on Fegin Mahe community in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State, while troops in Plateau State have arrested a suspected bandit and recovered an AK-47 rifle after foiling an ambush.
The Zamfara attack reportedly triggered the movement of residents fleeing the community on Thursday amid fears of further violence.
According to local sources, some of the attackers were killed during the encounter, while others fled following the intervention of security personnel. Reinforcements were also reportedly deployed to the area to strengthen security and prevent the gunmen from regrouping or launching another attack.
“The Nigerian Army, in collaboration with vigilantes, has repelled the bandit attack on Fegin Mahe community,” a local source said.
The source added that the swift response of security personnel helped repel the attackers, although the number of casualties among them was not immediately known.
Details of possible civilian casualties and the extent of damage to the community were also unavailable as of the time of filing this report.
There was no immediate official statement from the Nigerian Army or the Zamfara State Police Command on the incident.
The attack comes amid persistent security challenges in parts of Zamfara State, where armed groups continue to threaten communities, attack residents and disrupt livelihoods.
In a separate incident, troops of Operation Enduring Peace have arrested a suspected bandit and recovered an AK-47 rifle after foiling an ambush on a school staff member and his son along the Dorowa Babuje axis in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM), in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong, said the incident occurred on 15 October 2026.
The association said Gyang Luka, a staff member of Eliztor Private School in Barkin Ladi, and his son, both residents of Fan District, were travelling on a motorcycle when they were ambushed by suspected armed men.
“The Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM), under the leadership of Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, Esq., commends the personnel of Operation Enduring Peace, popularly known as the Special Task Force (STF), for their swift response that foiled an ambush which, by all human calculations, could have claimed the lives of a staff member of Eliztor Private School, Barkin Ladi LGA, Mr Gyang Luka, and his son along the Dorowa Babuje axis on Thursday, 15 October 2026,” the statement said.
According to the group, the military response led to the arrest of one suspect and the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, while other members of the group escaped towards a Fulani settlement in the Jong area of Ropp District, Barkin Ladi.
The association commended the troops for their response and urged the military to sustain its efforts through intensified patrols and intelligence-led operations.
It also called for a thorough investigation into the suspected banditry and terrorist networks, urging security agencies to track down the fleeing suspects in Jong and other locations.
The BYM also expressed concern over a video circulating on social media that purportedly showed Berom militias mobilising to attack Fulani communities.
Describing the footage as apparently doctored using artificial intelligence, the association said the narrative could distort the facts surrounding the security situation.
“The association expresses concern over what appears to be an AI-doctored video circulating on social media, allegedly showing ‘Berom militias’ moving to attack Fulani communities. This narrative contradicts information about the incident and risks distorting the facts,” the statement said.
The group urged security agencies to invite the person responsible for creating the video for questioning, saying the footage raised questions in light of the operation that led to the arrest of a suspect and the recovery of the rifle.
It warned that misleading content could heighten tensions, undermine accountability and divert attention from the security challenges facing communities in Plateau State and other parts of the Middle Belt.
The association further urged security agencies, media organisations and social media users to verify footage before sharing it, noting that advances in technology had made it easier for fabricated content to circulate.
It stressed that protecting lives and property must remain a priority and called for further action to dismantle criminal networks operating in the affected areas.
