Criminal gangs, known as “bandits” have already murdered at least 11 people this month and have abducted several others in northwest Nigeria, were terror is constantly feared.
Armed thugs attack schools, villages and travelers on the roads in the Zamfara state. The attackers are creating chaos and fear and hope to influence the upcoming presidential election set to take place in February 2023.
In the village of Masu, 50 people, predominantly married women, were abducted by the armed “bandits.”
“We had over 50 married women being abducted along with quite unknown number of innocent farmers,” Sarkin Fawa Masu, a traditional leader, said.
The gang released some of the women but two men were severely beaten and had to be hospitalized, according to witnesses. At least 27 people were still being held by the gang.
On November 6, 11 people were killed in the Yar Tasha community of the Bungudu and Zurmi areas, and at least seven farmers were kidnapped, including a district leader, according to residents.
Many children were recently kidnapped in the Katsina state in the north, and ransom was demanded.
The violence in Nigeria has gotten worse since 2020, and the government is unable to provide security for people in remote areas.
The armed terrorists loot villages, steal farm animals and take people hostage. Over the past two years, more than 800 school-aged children have been abducted. The terrorists demand money for their return.
Over the last 10 years, more than 30,000 people have been killed in Nigeria by the terrorist group Boko Haram. The attacks have spread into the neighboring countries of Chad, Niger and Cameroon. Over two million people have fled from their homes due to the terror.
