24 abducted as bandits attack Zamfara communities

Tuesday, August 5, 2025 - No fewer than 26 people, mostly women, have reportedly been abducted by bandits in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The abduction occurred barely 24 hours after a gang of armed bandits attacked 16 villages in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, killing five people and abducting scores.

Daily Trust reported that the attacks in Kaura Namoda took place between Saturday and Sunday. The bandits also rustled many domestic animals worth millions of naira during the operations.

According to locals, the armed bandits invaded three communities in Zurmi LGA-Zurmi town, Dada, and Gidan Shaho-abducting 24 people and injuring one.

The attack was carried out quietly, as the bandits did not fire a single shot during the operation, which lasted about an hour.

Daily Trust recalls that the Zurmi silent raid was similar to a previous attack in Ruwan Dorawa village about two years ago, where bandits operated for roughly two hours without firing a shot.

In Zurmi town, our reporter learned that 18 people, mostly women, were kidnapped; four were abducted in Dada village, and two others were taken from Gidan Shaho, bringing the total number of abductees to 24.

Our reporter also gathered that one of the four persons abducted in Dada village is a classroom teacher who was captured while returning home from work.

“The teacher was on his way home when he suddenly encountered the bandits as they were leaving the village with the abducted persons. They ordered him to join them, and he complied,” a local source said.

‘6 captives released’

However, the six persons abducted from Gidan Shaho and Dada villages were reportedly released without any ransom payment, according to a resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“They were said to have been released because they are among the villagers who work for the bandits on their farms. A few hours after they were taken into the bush, the bandits sent them back home unhurt.

“They reunited with their families and told us they were treated kindly while in the bush. One of the senior bandits recognised them and warned his boys not to harm them. Later, they were asked to return home,” the source said.

Malam Isa (not his real name), a resident of Zurmi town, said the bandits left their motorcycles at a distance and trekked into the town during the operation.

He said, unlike in previous attacks, the bandits did not fire any shots and took residents by surprise by entering the town silently.

He said they came from the direction of the Zurmi Police Outpost, but “luckily, they didn’t attack the police station this time around.”

“They kidnapped 18 people in Zurmi town. One man, Basiru, who resisted the attack, was stabbed with cutlasses until he lost consciousness.

“He was later rushed to Zurmi General Hospital for medical attention. I don’t know if he survived, but at the time he was taken to the hospital, he was still alive.”

Another resident of Zurmi, who also requested anonymity, said the bandits had not contacted the families of the kidnapped victims hours after the abductions.

He said, “Who knows, perhaps they have taken them to work on their farms. Sometimes, they force abducted persons into hard labour. The bandits farm deep in the forest, and most of the work is done by kidnapped victims. They drag these people into forced labour, and those who refuse to comply are either killed or forced to pay heavy levies.

“To be honest, we are living in these villages at the mercy of the bandits. They control everything; we can’t farm or trade without their approval. And whenever they want to cultivate their farms, they simply order residents of nearby villages to come and work for them. Villages that comply are allowed to farm; those that don’t are barred from farming for the year.”

Most residents who spoke to Daily Trust about the recent attack expressed concern over the resurgence of banditry in the area, despite the presence of deployed soldiers.

Aminu Yusuf, one of the residents, lamented that Zurmi had enjoyed relative peace for several months until recently, when attacks by bandits began to resurface.

“We don’t know what went wrong. When Nigerian troops were conducting offensive operations in the area, the bandits suspended their activities. But unfortunately, they are now gradually returning,” he said.

Another resident, Musa Muhammad, attributed the recent attacks to ongoing military operations in Sabon Birni and Isa Local Government Areas of Sokoto State.

He said the crackdown might have forced the bandits to relocate to the Zurmi axis in Zamfara State.

“We have heard that the bandits are under serious pressure in Sabon Birni and Isa, and that is probably why they are moving here to continue their heinous activities,” he said.

When contacted by phone, the Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Maikaba, promised to call this reporter back. He has not done so at the time of filing this report.