By Paul Joseph
At least 30 people have been killed after armed gunmen ambushed travellers along a highway in Zamfara State in a fresh wave of violence linked to banditry in northwestern Nigeria.
According to a security report, the victims including civilians, local hunters and community protection guards were attacked late Sunday by heavily armed assailants suspected to be bandits.
The attackers reportedly opened fire on the travellers during the ambush, leaving dozens dead in the deadly assault.
The latest killings occurred just days after troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded successes against armed groups operating in parts of the state.
Military authorities said troops under Sector 2 of the Joint Task Force North West carried out coordinated fighting patrols across Kaura Namoda Local Government Area and Birnin Magaji Local Government Area on May 7.
In a statement issued by the operation’s Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, the military said the troops engaged suspected terrorists during an aggressive clearance operation aimed at restricting their movement and disrupting criminal activities.
The statement added that several gunmen were neutralised during a fierce gun battle in Doumbourum Village, while weapons and ammunition were recovered from the scene.
Despite ongoing military operations, Zamfara and several parts of northwestern Nigeria continue to experience recurring attacks by armed groups involved in killings, kidnappings and cattle rustling.
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