Gunmen Raze District Head’s Palace and Loot Foodstuffs in Zamfara Reprisal Attack

Armed gunmen raze the palace of District Head Babangida Hamza in Yankuzo, Zamfara, following a military raid on bandit hideouts. Local shops looted.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 25, 2026, 7:58 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from GUARDIAN Newspapers

Reprisal Assault on Yankuzo Community

The Yankuzo community in the Tsafe local government area of Zamfara State has fallen victim to a violent raid by armed bandits. The attack, which occurred early Tuesday, is widely viewed by local residents as a direct reprisal following a successful military operation against terrorist enclaves in the vicinity. Led by a figure identified as Mai Rasha, the gunmen entered the community shooting sporadically, causing immediate panic among the inhabitants. The attackers reportedly remained in the area for several hours, finally withdrawing around 3:30 p.m. after completing a coordinated looting spree of local businesses.

Destruction of the Traditional Ruler’s Palace

A primary target of the raid was the palace of the District Head, Babangida Hamza. The bandits moved directly to the traditional ruler's residence and set the structure ablaze. Hamza, who was in Tsafe town at the time of the incident, confirmed the destruction, noting that while the palace was burnt, his family members had been safely evacuated prior to the escalation. While the physical destruction of the palace is confirmed, official casualty figures for the wider community remain unclear as security assessments continue.

Widespread Looting of Essential Supplies

Beyond the targeted destruction of the palace, the gunmen engaged in a systematic looting of the community’s resources. Multiple shops were broken into, with bandits carting away significant quantities of foodstuffs and other valuables. Residents noted that the attackers focused heavily on replenishing their supplies, likely due to the pressure exerted by recent military activities in the North-West. This economic sabotage adds a layer of hardship to a community that has already been struggling under the threat of persistent insecurity.