- More than 20 people were killed after gunmen attacked several villages in Talata Mafara in Nigeria's northern Zamfara state on Wednesday.
- 21 people had been killed, according to Nasiru Lauwali, a local councilor representing the Sauna district.
- 23 people were reported killed across five villages, as stated by Sauna district secretary Alhaji Shehu Garba.
- The raid began at around 2 p.m. on Wednesday and went 'unhindered' for around three hours.
- Some residents accused local security forces of not intervening during the attack.
- The attackers also rustled a large number of livestock during the raid.
- The bandit raids are separate from the ongoing jihadi insurgency in the northeast of the country led by Boko Haram.
- The attacks come amid increasing violence in northwest and central Nigeria, where armed gangs or bandits have raided villages in recent weeks.
- Kidnappings have become common in Nigeria, as armed groups seek large ransoms from the government and citizens.
At least 21 people were killed in Zamfara state, Nigeria, when armed bandits attacked several villages on Wednesday. The violence, which lasted for about three hours, saw the attackers raid communities, targeting residents and stealing livestock.124
Local councilor Nasiru Lauwali reported that the raid began around 2 p.m. and went 'unhindered' for hours, with some residents accusing security forces of failing to intervene. Sauna district secretary Alhaji Shehu Garba stated that 23 people were killed across five villages, highlighting the severity of the situation.35
The attacks are part of a broader trend of increasing violence in northwest Nigeria, where armed gangs have been raiding villages, stealing livestock, and kidnapping residents for ransom. In 2024 alone, these groups reportedly earned over $1.6 million in ransom payments, according to SBM Intelligence. The ongoing security crisis is exacerbated by the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast, which has further destabilized the region.7
The situation remains dire as local communities continue to face threats from banditry, with the government struggling to provide adequate security measures to protect its citizens.
“Nasiru Lauwali said bandits invaded communities between 2pm and 4pm, targeting everyone they met; Shehu Garba reported 23 killed across five villages. The attack went unhindered for three hours, with residents accusing security forces of failing to intervene, and gunmen rustled livestock, while in Kwara State security forces killed three bandits and rescued a businessman.”
DW.com
