150 individuals, including women and children, were reportedly taken captive in a coordinated attack by gunmen across four villages in Nigeria’s northwest Zamfara state, with one casualty confirmed by residents on Saturday.
Northwestern Nigeria has been grappling with a surge in kidnappings for ransom in recent years, perpetuated by armed groups commonly known as bandits, who target villages, schools, and travelers. These incidents have rendered road travel and farming unsafe in certain areas.
According to witnesses, dozens of gunmen on motorcycles raided the villages of Mutunji, Kwanar-Dutse, Sabon-Garin Mahuta, and Unguwar Kawo in the Maru local government area.
Dankandai Musa, a resident who escaped, revealed that 20 members of his household were among those captured. “I fled while they were forcing us into the bush,” he recounted.
Allegedly, Lawali Damana, believed to be the leader of the assailants, demanded a ransom of 100 million naira ($119,000) following the killing of four of his men by Nigerian troops, leading to the abduction of over a hundred individuals, with one casualty during the hostage-taking process.
The village head, speaking anonymously due to safety concerns, disclosed these details, shedding light on the increasing security challenges in Nigeria. These challenges include a persistent Islamist insurgency in the northeast, separatist tensions in the southeast, and frequent violent clashes between farmers and herders in the central region.
President Bola Tinubu’s strategy to address these security concerns remains unspecified. His economic reforms, including the removal of a costly petrol subsidy and changes in currency policy, have significantly raised living costs, sparking discontent among citizens.