Violence in Zamfara continues as recent attack leaves two dead and over 100 abducted

A fresh attack by gunmen in Zamfara has left two people dead, with over a hundred people abducted. The raid, which began on Saturday, August 23, is the latest in a series of violence that has caused over 300 abductions since July.

This incident follows recent attacks in Zamfara, including a raid in Kauran Namoda LGA that killed 24 people, injured 16, and abducted 144 in early August. In July, bandits reportedly killed 33 kidnap victims in Banga town after collecting a N50 million ransom.

Eyewitnesses who spoke to Reuters say the assailants stormed the villages on motorbikes early Saturday, shooting sporadically and splitting into two groups. One group carried out the abduction, while the other mounted a roadblock, shooting at anyone who tried to pass.

Muhammadu Mai Anguwa, village head of Gamdum Mallam, said the bandits “killed and kidnapped many women and children” during the attack, taking the kidnap victims towards Makakari forest. Similarly, a resident said, “We were being treated like slaves in our own land, as if there is no government.”

The lawmaker representing Bukkuyum South of Zamfara, Hamisu Faru, confirmed that over 100 people have been abducted since Saturday morning, with 46 more people taken in Ruwan Rana village.