Zamfara State Under Siege: Bandits Abduct 23 Women and 10 Construction Workers

Patrick OdeyJuly 28, 2023

1 minute read

Zamfara State is facing a serious security crisis as bandits continue to terrorize the residents. On Wednesday, July 26, 2023, a group of armed men on motorbikes kidnapped 23 women who went to fetch firewood in a forest near Damaga community in Maradun Local Government Area. The bandits took the women to their hideouts inside the forest and have not contacted their families for ransom yet.

This incident came two days after another deadly attack by the bandits near the Kangon Garucci community in Maru Local Government Area.

On Monday, July 24, 2023, seven soldiers and 22 farmers were killed in a fierce gun battle between the bandits and the troops. The soldiers were deployed to the area to protect the farmers from frequent attacks by the bandits.

In another development, 10 construction workers were abducted by the bandits from their houses in Talata Mafara Local Government Area on Wednesday night.

The workers were staff of a construction company that was building low-cost houses on the outskirts of the town. The bandits invaded the houses around midnight and engaged in a shootout with security operatives for hours before they escaped with the workers.

The state police command has not issued any official statement on these incidents. When contacted, the spokesman of the command, ASP Yazid Abubakar, said he was in a meeting with DPOs and tactical commanders and would get back later. However, he did not respond as of the time of writing this report.

The residents of Zamfara State are living in fear and uncertainty as the bandits continue to unleash violence and mayhem.

The state government and the federal government need to urgently address this situation and restore peace and security in the state. The lives and livelihoods of millions of people are at stake.