In a recent wave of violence in Zamfara State, Nigeria, over 100 villagers were abducted by bandits during a large-scale attack on the Maru Local Government Area. The na bandits descended upon the villages of Mutumji, Sabongari Mahuta, Kwanar Dutsi, and Unguwar Kawo.
Arriving on motorcycles, the gunmen surrounded the communities, firing shots to intimidate residents, which allowed them to abduct dozens of villagers, including women and children. This violence was reportedly spurred by the communities’ inability to meet the demands of a “harvesting levy” of approximately N110 million that the bandits had imposed on them.
The attack was allegedly led by a notorious local bandit chief known as Damina, who demanded that each community pay specific sums in ransom to avoid repercussions. Mutumji was expected to pay N50 million, Kwanar Dutsi N30 million, Sabongari Mahuta N20 million, and Unguwar Kawo N10 million.
When the communities failed to comply, the gunmen retaliated by forcefully taking villagers as hostages. Witnesses described scenes of panic, with residents attempting to escape the armed assailants. Dankandai Musa, a local villager, managed to flee during the chaos, recounting that he escaped while the bandits were grouping the captives to transport them to a nearby forest.
This incident underscores the growing influence of banditry in northern Nigeria, where rural communities have increasingly been subjected to violent attacks and ransom demands. The rise of such “taxes” in areas like Zamfara has severely disrupted daily life and economic activity, especially in farming communities, where the threat of violence has made it challenging to cultivate crops and sustain livelihoods.
In a related development, reports have emerged that seven people were killed in neighboring Niger State in an attack attributed to armed bandits. This parallel violence in Niger further highlights the security challenges facing Nigeria’s central and northwestern regions, where banditry, kidnappings, and violent extortion have surged, overwhelming local security forces. The Nigerian government faces pressure to reinforce security in these regions and to pursue more robust measures to protect civilians from recurring attacks. Meanwhile, local officials have urged communities to remain vigilant and avoid traveling through high-risk areas when possible.
As of now, the Zamfara State government and local police have not issued detailed updates on the situation or rescue efforts for the abducted villagers. The lack of a comprehensive response has fueled frustration among residents who feel that security agencies are struggling to contain the escalating violence.
