Terrorists Launch Fresh Attack on Dutsin Dan Ajiya, Kill 30.
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu
Democracy Newsline | February 21, 2026.
No fewer than 30 persons have been confirmed dead following a fresh terrorist attack on Dutsin Dan Ajiya village in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State, plunging the rural community into mourning and renewed fear.
The attack, which occurred on Thursday, February 19, 2026, came barely 24 hours after the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, concluded a security visit to the state where he officially launched 25 newly procured armoured vehicles, surveillance equipment and drones secured by Governor Dauda Lawal to combat insecurity.
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Eyewitness accounts reveal that the terrorists, riding on dozens of motorbikes, stormed Dutsin Dan Ajiya between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., strategically surrounding the village and blocking all exit routes before unleashing coordinated attacks on residents.
A survivor, Malam Yakubu Dan Ajiya, who narrowly escaped death, told Democracy Newsline in a telephone interview that the assailants fired sporadically for hours, setting houses ablaze and shooting at anyone attempting to flee.
“They came in large numbers and encircled the village. We were trapped. They kept shooting and attacking houses without stopping. About 30 people were killed, and many others were taken away into the forest,” he recounted.
As of Friday morning, several villagers were still unaccounted for, in addition to those confirmed abducted during the raid.
Dutsin Dan Ajiya, like many rural communities in Anka axis, has faced repeated attacks in recent years as armed groups—locally referred to as bandits—continue to operate across forest corridors linking Zamfara with neighbouring states. Security analysts note that the attackers often exploit difficult terrain and limited security presence in remote settlements.
Residents expressed frustration that the latest attack occurred shortly after the high-profile security reinforcement ceremony in the state capital, raising concerns about intelligence gaps and response time.
While official figures are still being verified by local authorities, community leaders say the humanitarian toll could rise as search efforts continue. The attack has displaced dozens of families, with survivors fleeing to neighbouring villages for safety.
The renewed violence has sparked fresh calls for decisive military operations and improved community intelligence networks. Observers argue that beyond equipment acquisition, sustained deployment, local collaboration and forest clearing operations are critical to dismantling armed camps in the region.
Security experts also stress the need for coordinated federal and state strategies, including aerial surveillance deployment in volatile rural belts such as Anka, Bukkuyum and Maru.
As Zamfara mourns yet another tragedy, the people of Dutsin Dan Ajiya are left counting their losses—burying their dead, searching for missing relatives, and hoping that promised security measures will translate into lasting protection.
The attack underscores the persistent security challenges confronting northwestern Nigeria and the urgent need for reinforced counterinsurgency efforts to restore peace to vulnerable communities.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, FEBRUARY 21ST 2026)
