Bandits launched a fresh wave of reprisal attacks on Tuesday, setting shops ablaze and rustling livestock in Yar Tashar Sahabi, a village in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The early morning raid is believed to be in retaliation for the recent killing of several bandits by the vigilantes.

According to residents, the vigilante group had ambushed and killed many armed men on Sunday, recovering stolen cattle in the process.

?They came at dawn, torched our shops and vehicles, and made away with our animals,? a resident told Daily Trust.

However, security forces stationed in nearby Magami responded swiftly and were able to repel the attackers before further damage was done.

The attack is the latest in a string of retaliatory assaults by armed groups in the state.

In Tsafe LGA, several villages have been targeted in what locals describe as a coordinated reprisal campaign.

Earlier this month, bandits attacked Keta village following the killing of notorious gang leader Dan Isuhu. During that assault, one resident was killed, 11 vehicles were burned, and shops were looted.

That same day, gunmen struck at Gidan Arne village, shooting three individuals and abducting over 40 women.

Two of the victims died at the scene, while the third is receiving treatment at an undisclosed medical facility.

Several homes were also destroyed in the attack.

When contacted, the spokesman of the Zamfara State Police Command, DSP Yazid Abubakar, denied knowledge of Yar Tashan Sahabi?s attack, promising to call the Divisional Officer in charge of Maru and get back which was not done at the time of filing this report. (Daily Trust)