Bandits Abduct Over 100 Villagers, Including Chief Imam, in Latest Attack on Zamfara Communities

Armed bandits have abducted more than 100 people in a series of coordinated attacks on villages near Wanke, close to Gusau, the state capital. Victims include women, children, the elderly, and even the community’s Chief Imam—who, having recently been released from captivity, was still undergoing treatment for injuries sustained in previous abductions.

Local reports indicate that this is the second time the Chief Imam has been targeted, underscoring the community’s persistent insecurity. Neither state officials nor law enforcement have released any statements on the incident as of the time of this report.

A resident who survived the attack described to the BBC Hausa Service the intensity and terror inflicted upon communities, recounting how attackers on motorcycles invaded homes and pursued villagers, capturing many who were trying to flee. “It was like a hunt,” he said. “They chased people as if they were animals. They broke into homes, taking women, children, and anyone they could find.”

The bandits attacked villages across Gira, Ruwa Kusa, Dogon Hayi, and Gidan Kado, seizing motorcycles, farm produce, personal belongings, and shop provisions. A survivor stated that in Sabon Layi alone, over 50 villagers were kidnapped, with another 50 abducted in nearby Dogon Hayi, though the exact numbers remain uncertain due to the chaotic nature of the attacks.

Witnesses said officials in Wanke were alerted, but no response from authorities has been received yet, leaving the communities vulnerable and fearful of further incidents. The affected communities, under near-constant threat for nearly a decade, have seen numerous residents flee to Gusau and other areas for safety, abandoning homes, livelihoods, and livestock.

“Once night falls, dread fills the air,” the survivor said, noting that staying overnight in these villages has become dangerous as the bandits continue to strike with impunity.

Efforts to reach the Zamfara State Police for comments were unsuccessful, as reported by the BBC Hausa Service.