Photo Credit Visit Disclaimers: Use Of AI Images In Our Newsletters

Notorious Kingpin Janbross Strikes Again, 20 Kidnapped in Zamfara (Dausayi, 28 January 2026)

On 28 January 2026, in Dausayi village, Zamfara State, a notorious crime boss known locally as Yellow Janbross led a brutal raid. The attackers tore into the community in broad daylight. Within minutes, they seized more than twenty residents. Villagers said gunfire echoed as the armed group forced their captives into waiting motorcycles and trucks. Panic spread fast. Entire families watched in horror as their loved ones were taken. 1

The scene was chaotic and raw. Survivors described the moment as a blur of fear. Some ran. Others froze. Many hid in the bush as shots rang out. But before dusk, 20 men and women were taken. None has been confirmed free at the time of writing. Security forces have deployed to search for them. Yet the fear in Dausayi lingers.

Read more Midnight Horror in Ebonyi as Gunmen Kill, Kidnap, and Burn Homes

What Happened That Afternoon?

It was about 4:00 p.m. on 28 January 2026. Dausayi was quiet, like most Zamfara villages in the late afternoon. Farmers were returning from fields. Children were on dirt paths heading home. Life was routine. Then it wasn’t. 3

Witnesses say a group of armed men arrived swiftly. They wore plain clothes and masks. No uniform. Yet they carried powerful rifles. They moved with purpose. Their leader, said to be Janbross, signaled orders. The group split up and spread through the village. Residents barely had time to register danger before gunshots cracked through the air.

People ran for cover. Some dashed toward homes. Others fled toward open fields. A few who saw the group close by simply froze. Before the panic could fully settle in, attackers were already rounding up villagers. They pointed weapons, shouted commands, and forced people out of hiding. Many were confused and terrified. Some tried to resist. But resistance was met with threats and violence.

Within just thirty minutes, at least 20 people were abducted. They were mainly adults, including both men and women. Residents said the captives were pushed onto motorcycles and into trucks that waited at the edge of the village. Then the convoy vanished into the dense bushland beyond Dausayi’s borders.

The suddenness shocked everyone. Dausayi had not seen violence on such a scale before. Neighbours and families who watched the men and women be taken were left speechless. Their hearts raced and questions filled the air. Where are they now? Will they be found? Who will pay ransom? These questions remained unanswered.

Who Is Yellow Janbross?

The man called “Yellow Janbross” is not a stranger to Zamfara’s security challenges. Criminal networks have grown in the region over years of weak governance and limited policing. In that space, men like Janbross have emerged. They command fighters. They raid villages. They kidnap civilians. And they fuel fear across communities.

Unlike some of the better documented gangs in Nigeria’s northwest, Janbross does not yet appear in official terror lists or global profiles. But locally, villagers and analysts describe him as a violent leader of an armed group. His men are believed to carry out attacks and ransom kidnappings. They operate from tough bush hideouts. They avoid direct confrontation with security forces. Instead, they strike quickly and then disappear.

The recent Dausayi abduction reflects a pattern that has become all too familiar in Zamfara and neighbouring states. Armed groups exploit poor road networks, limited patrols, and isolated villages. They target people at vulnerable moments — at the end of the day when many are on the move. They use the cover of rough terrain to slip away from pursuit.

Security experts say that this type of violence has become entrenched in parts of northern Nigeria. Banditry, kidnappings, and armed raids have become part of life for many rural dwellers. Efforts to dismantle criminal networks have intensified in recent years, but groups adapt quickly. They reorganise. They form alliances. They shift operations to new areas.

Immediate Reaction From Security Forces

Soon after the attack, the Divisional Police Officer for Dansadau Division was alerted. He, together with joint security teams, immediately mobilised to Dausayi. The arrival of security forces brought some relief. Yet the abductors had already fled.

Police and local vigilantes scoured the bushland around the village. They searched known hideouts and ridges where armed gangs often hide. Roads were blocked to intercept any convoy heading toward forested terrain. Police urged villagers and residents of nearby communities to stay alert and share any information that could help locate the missing persons.

Authorities publicly condemned the attack as a brutal violation of human rights and the rule of law. They reaffirmed their resolve to continue operations against criminal syndicates. State officials stressed that cooperation with community members is essential to help recover the victims and arrest their captors.

Security advisories were issued to travellers. People were encouraged to avoid travelling on isolated routes, especially at dusk and at night. The security forces said such warnings are necessary because kidnappers and violent groups often strike where law enforcement presence is weak.

Impact on the Dausayi Community

The emotional impact on Dausayi has been immense. Survivors and family members of those taken are traumatized. Children can barely sleep. Parents feel unsafe. Life has shifted from routine to fear. People who once walked freely now check shadows at every turn.

Many families have hidden indoors. Farmers have abandoned their fields. Shops remain closed or open for only short hours. Every vehicle or motorbike that passes triggers anxiety. Dausayi is filled with whispered fears and unanswered questions.

Neighbours in surrounding villages are equally wary. Rumours spread fast that the same group might return. Some believe ransom demands will soon follow. Others worry captives may be forced into joining armed networks. The dread that once lived only in stories is now real for these communities.

Community leaders have appealed for further protection. Elders and religious figures have called on the government to provide more security presence. They argue that without steady patrols and rapid responses, their villages will continue to face violence. Trusted locals have begun organising informal watch groups, but most agree that this cannot replace trained officers.

Zamfara’s Broader Security Crisis

This latest abduction is not isolated. Zamfara has long been a hotspot of armed banditry in northwest Nigeria. Across the state and neighbouring regions, criminal gangs have raided villages, kidnapped residents, and carried out ransom attacks for many years.

Security analysts say that geography plays a role. Thick forests, rugged terrain, and wide open spaces make it easier for gangs to hide and evade capture. Weak rural infrastructure means few patrols and long response times. That leaves villages exposed and vulnerable to attack.

Just weeks before the Dausayi incident, military operations were intensified across Zamfara under Nigeria’s Operation FANSAN YAMMA. Troops responded to intelligence of armed groups in remote areas. They destroyed several hideouts and recovered equipment. But the operations, though successful in some respects, did not stop kidnappings altogether.

In other states nearby, similar kidnappings have occurred. Troops rescued dozens of hostages elsewhere in northwest Nigeria as part of ongoing counter-terror operations. These rescues show that while the military and police can achieve gains, the threat remains persistent.

Mass kidnappings have also hit other communities. For instance, large numbers of worshippers were abducted in neighbouring regions, sparking national concern. Demands for ransom in those cases reached high figures, reflecting the deep crisis of insecurity in the area.

Challenges to Rescue and Recovery

The immediate challenge facing security forces is to locate and rescue the 20 kidnapped from Dausayi. Dense forests and complex hideouts make the task difficult. Criminal groups know the terrain well and use it to their advantage. They scatter as soon as security forces approach.

Intelligence gathering is critical. But many villagers fear speaking out publicly. They worry for their safety and that of their families. Sharing information anonymously can help, though, and authorities have appealed for such cooperation. Every tip could bring the captives closer to rescue.

Negotiations are another challenge. Past kidnappings have often led to ransom demands. Some captives were released after negotiations. Others have suffered longer captivity. Policy on ransom remains contentious. Officially, authorities discourage ransom payments. But under duress, families and communities sometimes face agonizing choices.

Voices from the Ground

A villager who escaped the raid said, “We saw them come from the forest. We did not hear any warning before they fired shots. They were too many, and they moved very fast.” His voice trembled. “We tried to run, but some were caught. My friend was taken. I don’t know where he is now.”

Others spoke of the shock that followed. “We thought we were safe,” one woman said. “We believed our community was strong. But now we fear every sound.” Families pray daily. Some stay awake at night, calling the names of loved ones who haven’t returned.

What Authorities Are Doing

Police and security forces continue their search efforts. Ground patrols are active. Checkpoints line routes leading out of the region. Helicopter surveillance has been reportedly deployed in neighbouring areas. Authorities also urge the public to remain vigilant and share information.

State officials have promised ongoing operations against armed groups responsible for violence. They reaffirm that nobody else should suffer like Dausayi’s residents have. Officials stress that dismantling criminal networks is a long-term effort, requiring both force and community cooperation.

While security remains a top priority, government leaders also emphasise the need for improved rural infrastructure, stronger local intelligence, and trust between villagers and law enforcement. They argue that only by working together can such abductions be prevented.

People are reacting to this Four Bandits Killed in Benue Police Stop-and-Search Operation

Hope and the Road Ahead

For the families of the abducted, hope is fragile but alive. Each day brings anxious waiting. Loved ones pray for their safe return. Meanwhile, communities lean on each other for support. They organise vigils, pray in mosques and churches, and share stories of resilience.

Security analysts say the first hours and days are critical in such situations. Rapid action, credible intelligence, and persistent pressure on kidnappers improve the chances of rescue. For now, authorities remain focused on these tasks.

As the crisis continues, the people of Dausayi and the wider region await news. They cling to the hope that every one of the 20 taken on 28 January 2026 will return home. And they pray for a day when raids like these become a distant memory rather than a painful reality.

Sources:
– Bandits Kidnap 20 Residents in Zamfara Community – NigerianEye News (28 Jan 2026)
– Bandits abduct 20 in Dausayi, Zamfara – Zagazola Makama (30 Jan 2026)