A wave of violence has struck Zamfara State, Nigeria, as gunmen attacked multiple communities in the Gusau and Maru local councils, and Bungudu Local Council Area. The attacks, which began on Sunday and continued into Monday, left several residents dead and over 45 people abducted. The victims include mostly women and children from Yargada, Maikogo, and other affected communities.
The attacks were characterized by widespread violence, with gunmen setting about 10 parked vehicles ablaze in one of the villages. According to Yakubu Ibrahim, a resident of one of the affected villages, the gunmen arrived in large numbers at around 12:50 am, shooting sporadically and conducting a house-to-house search for their targeted victims.
The police responded to the distress call, but their efforts were hindered by the large numbers of gunmen and their sophisticated weapons. An eyewitness in Magama Mairake, who wished to remain anonymous, reported that the police team could not immediately confront the bandits due to their superior firepower.
The Zamfara Police Command has confirmed the incident and deployed a search and rescue squad to locate the abducted victims. According to DSP Yazid Abubakar, the police received a report of the abduction of 11 persons in another incident at the headquarters of Bungudu Local Council Area, where an unspecified number of persons were killed.
The abduction of 18 people from the Tyomu community in Makurdi Local Council Area of Benue State has also sparked protests. Women from the community blocked the Makurdi-Gboko highway, calling on the state government to secure the release of their community members, including eight women.
The abductors have reportedly demanded a ransom of N30 million from the relatives of some of the victims. Although the residents have raised and paid N3 million, the victims have not yet been released. The Security Adviser to the Governor on Internal Affairs, Joseph Har, confirmed the incident and stated that the relevant security agencies were working to resolve the situation.
The situation in Zamfara State and Benue State remains volatile, with concerns growing over the security of residents. The incidents highlight the ongoing challenges of banditry and kidnapping in Nigeria, and the need for effective measures to address these issues.
Key points
- Gunmen abducted over 45 people, mostly women and children, in Zamfara State's Gusau and Maru local councils, and Bungudu Local Council Area.
- The abductions were accompanied by widespread violence, including the killing of residents and the destruction of property.
- Protests have erupted in Benue State over the abduction of 18 people from the Tyomu community, with women blocking a major highway to demand action from the government.
