Dozens of people have reportedly been killed and several women and children abducted after armed assailants attacked a village in Nigeria’s northwestern Zamfara state.
Local sources said the attackers stormed the community late at night, opening fire and setting parts of the village ablaze. Survivors fled into nearby forests as the gunmen carried out the assault.
Authorities have not yet released an official casualty figure, but residents described the incident as one of the deadliest in recent months in the region.
Abductions and growing insecurity
Zamfara, in northwestern Nigeria, has witnessed repeated attacks by armed groups often referred to locally as bandits. These groups are known for targeting villages, abducting residents for ransom and engaging in violent clashes with security forces.
Women and children were reportedly taken during the latest raid, though the exact number of abductees remains unclear.
Security response
Security forces have been deployed to the area, and search operations are underway to track down the attackers and rescue those kidnapped. Officials have urged residents to remain calm while investigations continue.
The northwestern region has faced escalating insecurity in recent years, with attacks frequently disrupting rural communities, displacing families and straining local resources.
Further details are expected as authorities assess the full extent of the damage and casualties.