Zamfara Airstrike: 72 Feared Dead as Military, Amnesty Disagree on Death Toll

At least 72 people were reportedly killed after a Nigerian military airstrike hit Tumfa weekly market in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State on Sunday, in an incident that has triggered conflicting accounts from residents, human rights groups, and the military.

According to AFP, which quoted a local community leader, the actual number of casualties remains difficult to confirm due to the presence of both civilians and armed groups in the area.

“The actual death toll is hard to establish at the moment. Everybody, residents and bandits, goes to the market. People are at the mercy of the bandits. There is nothing they can do,” the community leader, Garba Ibrahim Mashema, was quoted as saying.

Reports indicate that Tumfa market is located in a region frequently affected by banditry and is believed by some security sources to be under the influence of armed groups, raising concerns about the complexity of identifying combatants during military operations.

Eyewitness accounts claim that many of the victims included traders, women, and young girls selling food items such as millet porridge and tofu when the airstrike occurred.

Human rights organisation Amnesty International, however, gave a higher casualty figure, saying more than 100 people may have died. The group also alleged that one nearby village buried about 80 victims in a mass burial following the attack.

Amnesty International described the incident as part of a disturbing pattern of civilian harm during military operations in Nigeria’s conflict-affected northern region, calling for an urgent independent investigation.

“The authorities must investigate these deadly strikes, and put an end to reckless attacks on civilians,” the organisation said.
“These horrific deaths must not be overlooked. The devastated survivors and their families deserve truth, justice and reparations.”

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The group also alleged that injured survivors were rushed to hospitals in Zurmi, Shinkafi, and the Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital in Gusau for treatment.

It further stated that the market was struck without warning while it was crowded, causing panic and chaos.

“Military aircraft bombed the weekly market. At one point, it was full of people and without warning. The scene was chaotic. There were screams, blood, and bodies all over the ground,” Amnesty said.

In contrast, the Nigerian military has strongly denied allegations that civilians were deliberately targeted or that the airstrike resulted in mass civilian casualties.

Defence Headquarters spokesperson, Michael Onoja, told AFP that reports claiming civilian deaths in Zamfara were “not true,” while insisting that military operations are intelligence-driven and targeted at armed bandits.

The military also acknowledged a separate air operation in Niger State on the same day, which reportedly led to the death of 13 civilians. Officials said the incident would be investigated, although they maintained that the mission was aimed at criminal elements.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has meanwhile reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to defending the constitution and intensifying operations against terrorism, banditry, and other security threats across the country.

Speaking at the opening of the Nigerian Army Project Management Workshop at the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering (NASME), Makurdi, Shaibu—represented by Maj.-Gen. Moses Gara—said ongoing military reforms and welfare improvements are boosting troop morale and operational efficiency.

He praised President Bola Tinubu for what he described as sustained support to the armed forces, noting that improved welfare packages have strengthened soldiers’ readiness in counterterrorism operations nationwide.

According to him, the army’s infrastructure drive includes rehabilitation of barracks, construction of training facilities, medical centres, and other critical installations aimed at improving personnel welfare and operational capacity.

Security analysts say the Zamfara incident highlights the persistent challenge of conducting air operations in regions where armed groups operate within civilian-populated communities, making target identification extremely difficult.

The tragedy has sparked renewed national debate over civilian protection, military intelligence accuracy, and accountability in Nigeria’s counterinsurgency operations, especially in the North-West where banditry remains widespread.

As investigations continue, human rights groups and affected communities are demanding transparency, compensation for victims’ families, and stricter safeguards to prevent future civilian casualties during military strikes.

Zamfara Airstrike: 72 Feared Dead as Military, Amnesty Disagree on Death Toll

How Suspected Kidnappers Lured UNIJOS Graduate With Job Offer

A graduate of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), John Azi Arum, has narrated his traumatic experience after he was allegedly lured with a fake job offer, abducted, and taken to a kidnappers’ camp in Zamfara State, where he spent several terrifying days in captivity.

Arum shared his experience during a testimony session at a church in Tudun Wada, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, shortly after regaining his freedom.

According to him, the incident began on April 11, 2026, when he travelled from Jos to Zaria in Kaduna State after receiving what appeared to be a legitimate welding job offer from unknown individuals who had repeatedly contacted him by phone.

The UNIJOS graduate explained that the callers frequently communicated with him and even sent him transport fare to convince him the opportunity was genuine.

“They kept calling me, asking me to come and work for them. They even sent transport money, so I believed it was real work,” he recounted.

Arum said he arrived in Zaria believing he was heading for employment that could improve his financial situation amid Nigeria’s worsening economic hardship and unemployment crisis.

According to him, after reaching Zaria, he contacted the individuals, who instructed him to continue the journey on a motorcycle toward a remote settlement.

Although he became suspicious during the trip, he said desperation for a job made him ignore the warning signs.

“I started having doubts, but I told myself maybe it was a connection that could help me. I did not know they were kidnappers,” he said.

The graduate explained that upon arriving at the village, a man approached him pretending to be the employer who had arranged the job.

He was then taken deeper into a forested area on a motorcycle where he allegedly encountered another heavily armed man waiting for them.

“I saw a gun I had never seen before in my life. The man told me not to be afraid and claimed the person was a hunter, but deep down I knew something was wrong,” he narrated.

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According to Arum, the kidnappers immediately forced him to kneel down before searching him and confiscating his phone, luggage, and welding tools.

He said the abductors also handed him unfamiliar clothes and a face mask before transporting him through bush paths and isolated routes stretching from Kaduna State through Giwa Local Government Area into Zamfara State.

“We spent almost six hours moving through the bush on motorcycles. There was no security anywhere,” he said.

Arum disclosed that after arriving at the camp, the kidnappers tied his hands and legs before contacting his family and demanding N30 million ransom.

“I gave them my elder brother’s number. They called and demanded N30 million,” he said.

The victim further alleged that he was repeatedly tortured and interrogated by the abductors, who questioned him about his religion and accused him of being a Christian.

According to him, fear initially made him deny his faith because he believed the kidnappers might kill him.

“They were shooting guns everywhere and asking questions. Out of fear, I initially denied being a Christian because I thought they would kill me,” he explained.

However, he said the situation changed after the abductors severely beat him.

“While they were beating me, I suddenly shouted, ‘Jesus.’ That was when they discovered I was a Christian,” he added.

Arum revealed that the kidnappers later nicknamed him “Pastor” throughout his captivity.

He said prayer and faith were the only things that sustained him during the ordeal.

“The only thing I kept doing was praying and asking God to save me,” he stated emotionally.

According to him, negotiations between the kidnappers and his family later reduced the ransom demand from N30 million to N6 million.

However, despite receiving the payment, the abductors allegedly refused to release him immediately and demanded an additional N4 million.

“They started beating me again and said my family should add another N4 million. At that point, I thought I would not survive,” he said.

The UNIJOS graduate explained that intervention and support from relatives, friends, church members, and sympathisers eventually helped secure his freedom after several days in captivity.

He returned home traumatised but grateful to be alive.

The incident has once again highlighted growing concerns over the use of fake employment offers by kidnappers and criminal syndicates operating across parts of Nigeria.

Security experts have repeatedly warned young Nigerians, especially unemployed graduates and job seekers, to verify employment offers carefully before travelling to unfamiliar locations.

Analysts say kidnappers are increasingly using social engineering tactics, fake identities, transport assistance, and online recruitment schemes to lure unsuspecting victims into dangerous situations.

The case has also renewed conversations about insecurity, unemployment, and economic hardship, which many observers believe continue to expose vulnerable Nigerians to exploitation by criminal groups.

Meanwhile, security agencies are reportedly investigating the incident and tracking those responsible for the abduction.

How Suspected Kidnappers Lured UNIJOS Graduate With Job Offer

Gunmen Abduct Three Family Members, Shoot Woman in Ogun Community

Fear has gripped residents of Ipojo Golden Estate in the Oke-Eri area of Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, after suspected gunmen abducted three members of the same family during a violent attack on the community.

The incident reportedly occurred around 7pm on Monday when about 15 heavily armed men stormed the estate, firing sporadically and causing panic among residents.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers invaded a family residence, ransacked the house and abducted three family members before fleeing into a nearby forest.

A woman was also reportedly shot during the attack and is currently receiving treatment.

Confirming the incident on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said tactical and intelligence operations had been intensified to rescue the victims and apprehend the kidnappers.

“The Ogun State Police Command is aware of the incident at Ipojo Golden Estate, Oke-Eri, Ijebu Ode, and has intensified tactical and intelligence operations to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.

“The command remains proactive and committed to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state,” he stated.

Sources within the community disclosed that the head of the affected family, said to be a government employee, was away at his duty post when the gunmen invaded the residence.

The abducted victims were identified as two women and one man, all members of the Badewa family in Ijebu Ode.

Speaking on the incident, the head of the family, Mr Yesiru Badewa, expressed deep concern over the condition of one of the abducted women, who was reportedly ill before the attack.

“We are deeply worried because one of the women is sick, and the hardship in captivity may worsen her condition,” he said.

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Badewa appealed to the Ogun State Government, security agencies and well-meaning Nigerians to support efforts aimed at rescuing the victims safely.

Residents of the estate also lamented that the incident had heightened fear across the community, with many now afraid to move around freely or carry out their daily activities.

A community leader, Mr Kehinde, described the attack as shocking, noting that the estate had long been considered peaceful and secure.

“We never imagined such an incident could happen in this community. Residents were caught unawares because this is considered a peaceful and developed area,” he said.

The latest attack has renewed concerns over the rising wave of kidnapping in Ogun State, especially in agrarian communities across Ijebuland.

Residents and local farmers have repeatedly warned about increasing activities of armed gangs operating around forest corridors in Ogun communities.

Recently, fish farmers in the area raised the alarm over worsening insecurity and appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun and the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to strengthen security across the region.

The farmers cited the recent abduction of a fish farmer, Adams Omamegbe, alongside four women who visited his farm at Alayo Fish Farm Cluster in Agoro, Odogbolu Local Government Area.

According to community sources, the victims were allegedly released only after a ransom of N70 million was paid to the kidnappers.

The incident has further heightened anxiety among residents, many of whom fear that criminal gangs are expanding operations across parts of Ogun State.

Security experts have also warned that kidnappers are increasingly targeting rural settlements and farming communities where security presence is limited.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command urged residents to remain calm and provide credible information that could assist security agencies in tracking down the kidnappers and rescuing the victims

Gunmen Abduct Three Family Members, Shoot Woman in Ogun Community