At least 38 people have been killed, and several women and children abducted, during a terrifying attack in north-western Nigeria, authorities report.
Days before the assault, villagers said they spotted more than 150 armed men on motorbikes and alerted security agencies, but no preventive action was taken.
The attack struck on Thursday night in Tungan Dutse village, Zamfara State, with bloodshed continuing into Friday morning. Abdullahi Sani, 41, who lost three family members in the raid, said the community is still reeling from the tragedy. “No one slept yesterday; we are all in pain,” he said.
Local lawmakers revealed the gunmen had been moving between villages before targeting Tungan Dutse. Legislator Hamisu Faru reported that around 50 people may have died. “The bandits came from Gando Forest, laid siege on Dutse Dan Ajiya, and opened fire indiscriminately, killing anyone who tried to flee,” Faru said.
Another resident, Yazid Abubakar, confirmed the abductions, stating: “By the time we could react, the assailants had invaded the community, killed 38 people, and kidnapped many others.”
The African Union condemned the attack, calling it a grave violation of human rights. In a statement, the organisation said: “The African Union unequivocally rejects all acts of terrorism and violent extremism against civilian populations, particularly women and children, as serious threats to peace, security, and stability.”
This latest atrocity follows previous attacks in Nigeria, where gunmen on motorbikes shot and slashed the throats of at least 46 people, abducting several others, highlighting the persistent threat of terror in the region.
