At least five soldiers and 10 civilians have been killed in a deadly ambush by armed bandits in Lilo and the surrounding villages of Gusau Local Government Area, Zamfara State.
Community leaders from the area disclosed the incident on Wednesday during a briefing at the Zamfara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Gusau.
They described the attack as yet another devastating blow to residents who have endured repeated assaults from armed groups.
According to residents, the soldiers were escorting traders to Gusau market on Monday when the convoy ran into a surprise ambush along the Lilo–Gulubba road.
The assailants, reportedly in large numbers, opened fire, sparking a fierce gun battle.
Mohammed Mohammed, who spoke on behalf of the affected communities, confirmed that 10 villagers lost their lives in the attack.
“The troops were protecting us when the bandits suddenly struck. Despite the soldiers’ gallant efforts, they suffered casualties, and innocent villagers were also killed,” he said.
An eyewitness who narrowly escaped narrated to reporters how he survived by pretending to be dead while chaos unfolded.
“We were travelling under military escort when the bandits appeared from hiding. They sprayed bullets at us.
“The soldiers fought back bravely, and though many bandits were neutralised, five of our protectors also fell. Some passengers were injured, but several managed to flee into the bush,” he recounted.
Residents have since appealed to authorities at all levels to step in with urgent support. Their demands include improved security, better road networks, access to healthcare, and investment in schools to reduce the hardships faced by their communities.
“Our people live in fear every day,” another community leader lamented. “We need the government to act quickly, not just with guns, but with infrastructure and social services that will give us a chance at normal life.”
When contacted, the Army’s Media Information Officer, Captain David Adewusi, said he had not been briefed on the incident but assured that he would provide details once available.
The attack adds to the growing insecurity in Zamfara, where banditry has continued to destabilise rural communities despite ongoing military operations in the region.