At least 46 people, including women and children, were reportedly kidnapped during a violent raid on Gana town in Zamfara State late Sunday night.
The attack, which occurred around 10pm, saw dozens of gunmen on motorbikes storm the community, shooting sporadically and setting homes and businesses ablaze.
According to eyewitnesses who spoke with Reuters, the attackers conducted a house-to-house search, abducting those who could not flee into nearby bushes.
“They shot sporadically, causing panic. Many ran for their lives, but women and children who couldn’t escape were taken,” a resident recounted to Reuters.
This incident adds to a troubling pattern of abductions in the region, coming just a month after gunmen reportedly kidnapped 43 people in Kakidawa, Gidan Goga district, Maradun Local Government Area.
The rise in kidnappings for ransom in Nigeria’s northern states has left communities in fear and prompted calls for more decisive action against the perpetrators.
Meanwhile, security forces have reported some successes in countering the activities of armed groups in Zamfara.
Last month, troops launched a targeted operation in Tsafe LGA, killing several terrorists and disrupting their hideouts. Intelligence-driven airstrikes also neutralized others attempting to flee with stolen cattle.
Despite these efforts, the recurring attacks underscore the challenges of addressing insecurity in the region.