More than 20 killed in armed attacks on villages in northwest Nigeria
At least 20 people have been killed after armed gang members attacked villages in Zamfara State in northwest Nigeria, according to a report citing the AFP news agency. The violence took place on Wednesday in communities in the Talata Mafara local government area, with the attacks reported between about 14:00 GMT and 15:00 GMT. Local representative Nasiru Lauwali said a large number of bandits invaded the communities and targeted people they encountered.
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The attacks are the latest in a surge of violence affecting northwest and central Nigeria in recent weeks. Armed gangs, often described locally as bandits, have repeatedly raided villages in the region, with theft of livestock and kidnappings for ransom among the most common accusations against them. The new deaths add to a pattern of insecurity that has continued despite repeated security operations in several states.
The incident also comes a day after security forces in neighbouring Kwara State said they killed at least three suspected bandits and rescued a businessman. That separate operation underlines the wider pressure on Nigerian authorities as they confront armed groups across multiple regions. Kidnapping has become a major feature of the crisis, with ransom demands placing strain on families, communities and the state.
Zamfara has been one of the areas most affected by bandit violence in northwest Nigeria, where attacks on rural settlements have become a recurring security problem. The broader crisis has been worsened by other armed conflicts in the country, including the Boko Haram rebellion in the northeast, which has stretched security resources over many years. The persistence of attacks has raised concerns about the ability of local and federal forces to protect remote communities.
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Recent figures cited in the reporting show how profitable kidnapping has become for armed groups, with more than $1.6m in ransom payments earned in 2024, according to SBM Intelligence. Earlier this month, dozens of students and teachers were rescued 56 days after being abducted from three schools in Oyo State, and officials said arrests were made in that case. Defence Minister Christopher Musa said the suspects in that incident had planned to use hostages as leverage to pressure the government.
It remains unclear how many attackers were involved in the Zamfara assault, whether any arrests were made, or how many people were injured in addition to those killed. Further official confirmation is also awaited on the full death toll and the condition of the affected villages. The incident is likely to intensify scrutiny of security operations in northwest Nigeria as authorities face continuing attacks and ransom-driven kidnappings.
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