Gunmen kidnap 46 people in Zamfara community

No fewer than 46 persons, including women and children, have been kidnapped in Gana town in Zamfara State.

According to residents, the attack took place around 10pm on Sunday.

No official confirmation yet about the attack from the authorities, but a traditional leader in the community, Alhaji Garba Haure, told Reuters that dozens of gunmen on motorbike invaded the community and set fire to several homes and businesses, residents said.

“We have 46 men, women and children that have been abducted altogether, and are still counting,” Haure said.

He said the quick intervention of government security forces prevented the assailants from setting the entire town ablaze, adding that no life was lost in the attack.

But another resident, Bala Harauma, told Reuters that the actual number of abducted people could be higher.

“Six people managed to escape while the armed gang moved the captives in the early hours of Monday,” Harauma said.

Another resident, Yusuf Mohammed, explained that the bandits set ablaze dozens of houses and silos containing foodstuff.

The Northwest has been experiencing a severe security crisis, with terrorist and bandit groups wreaking havoc on local communities. These groups have been responsible for a multitude of violent attacks, resulting in significant loss of life and widespread kidnappings.