Armed Attacks Kill More Than 20 People in Northwest Nigeria

Armed Attacks Kill More Than 20 People in Northwest Nigeria
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At least 20 people have been killed after armed attackers raided several communities in Zamfara State in northwest Nigeria, according to reports by the AFP news agency.

Nasiru Lauwali, a local representative in the Sauna district of Talata Mafara, said a large number of armed men entered the communities during the afternoon and attacked residents they encountered. The assault is part of a wider rise in violence across northwest and central Nigeria, where armed groups have intensified raids on villages.

The gangs, often referred to as bandits, have been accused of carrying out killings, stealing livestock and kidnapping residents for ransom. Kidnapping has become a major security challenge in Nigeria, with armed groups demanding large payments from families, businesses and authorities.

The latest attacks come amid ongoing efforts by Nigerian security forces to combat criminal networks. In Kwara State, security forces recently killed three suspected bandits and rescued a businessman who had been abducted, according to local reports.

Nigeria continues to face multiple security threats, including the long-running Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast and growing criminal activity in other regions. According to security analysts, ransom payments collected by armed groups reached millions of dollars in recent years.

Earlier this month, dozens of students and teachers were rescued after spending 56 days in captivity following a kidnapping from three schools in Oyo State. Authorities said several suspected kidnappers were arrested, while others were killed during security operations.