Zamfara bandits attack military outpost killing 12 personnel and carting away weapons

NIGERIAN security forces a major setback over the weekend after a bunch of armed hoodlums attacked a military base in Zamfara State killing nine air force and one army personnel during a brutal assault.

In total about 12 security personnel were confirmed dead while three were wounded in the attack on the military Forward Operating Base in Mutumji, in Dansadau Local Government Area of Zamfara State. This latest attack on the military base apparently left a casualty toll of nine Nigerian Air Force, two Nigerian Police Force and one Nigerian Army personnel.

Following the attack, the bandits also carted away weapons and other equipment from the slain security personnel while also setting the base ablaze. Of late, the Nigerian military has stepped up activities in Zamfara State, attacking camps, restricting the sale of fuel and shutting down phone networks in a bid to isolate the criminals.

It now appears that the hoodlums decided to strike back in what was a major attack on a military facility. A few weeks ago, the bandits downed a Nigerian Air Force Alpha jet which was being used to attack locations where they were taking refuge, although defence headquarters said there was no casualty as the pilot escaped unhurt.

Meanwhile, Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State has ruled out negotiation with the bandits, saying they would ultimately be crushed. In several other states like Katsina, the government has tried to reach a deal with the hoodlums but this has failed and in Zamfara itself, Islamic cleric Sheikh Abubakar Gumi recently travelled into the forests to meet the bandits.