Camer360

Residents of Gamdum Mallam in Bukkuyum Local Government Area, Zamfara State, are reeling after a midday raid left at least two people dead and more than 100 abducted—mostly women and children—according to local officials and community leaders. Village head Muhammadu Mai Anguwa said the attackers arrived on dozens of motorbikes, firing indiscriminately. The assailants split into two groups: one seized residents and livestock and marched them toward Makakari forest, while the other mounted a roadblock at Adafka’s main entrance to catch anyone trying to flee. “We were being treated like slaves in our own land,” said resident Huzaifa Isa.

Local lawmaker Hamisu Faru confirmed the incident by phone, saying “at least 100 people” had been abducted since Saturday morning. He added that the gunmen also attacked Nasarawa Burkullum under heavy rain, crossed the river into nearby communities, and kidnapped 46 more people in Ruwan Rana village. Fears of additional raids persist as the armed group reportedly attempts to re-enter the forest boundary. Zamfara police did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The latest assault underscores the deepening insecurity in Zamfara, the epicentre of so-called bandit violence in Nigeria’s northwest, where travel and farming have become perilous. A report by SBM Intelligence, Economics of Nigeria’s Kidnap Industry, identified Zamfara as the state with the highest number of abductions between July 2024 and June 2025—1,203 people taken in that period. Nationwide, kidnappers demanded an estimated ₦48 billion in ransom, while at least 4,722 people were abducted across Nigeria during the same timeframe. Community leaders in Zamfara say urgent protection measures, improved rural policing, and rapid response capabilities are needed to stem repeated mass kidnappings and restore confidence in local life and commerce.