Dozens of women and children were abducted in a recent attack in Zamfara State, northwestern Nigeria. Armed men carrying assault rifles stormed the village of Kafin Dawa on Sunday, raiding homes and taking victims, primarily women and girls. According to local reports, over 50 women were abducted, with residents recounting a terrifying scene of gunshots and widespread panic.
Hassan Ya’u, a resident who managed to escape, confirmed the abduction of more than 50 women. Another resident told Daily Trust that at least 43 people were taken. In response, the Zamfara police have deployed additional security forces to the area in an attempt to secure the region.
Northwestern Nigeria has seen a surge in kidnappings carried out by armed groups known as “bandits.” These groups, driven by poverty, unemployment, and access to illegal firearms, have increasingly targeted villages and schools for ransom. This attack adds to a growing list of similar abductions in the region, including the mass kidnapping of 130 students in Kuriga earlier this year, as well as the infamous 2014 Boko Haram abduction of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok.
Despite efforts to combat these crimes, kidnappings remain rampant in the region, creating a climate of fear and insecurity for local communities. Authorities continue to struggle with tackling these ongoing threats, leaving residents vulnerable to further attacks.
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