At Least 50 Killed, Women and Children Abducted in Zamfara Village Attack
Armed assailants raid Tungan Dutse, highlighting escalating insecurity in northwestern Nigeria
- Armed men killed at least 50 people and abducted women and children in Tungan Dutse.
- Attackers burned homes and moved across multiple villages, residents say.
- Early warnings to security forces were reportedly ignored, worsening the tragedy.
At least 50 people were killed and several women and children abducted in an armed attack on Tungan Dutse village in Nigeria’s northwestern Zamfara state, a local lawmaker confirmed.
Hamisu A. Faru, representing Bukkuyum South, said the assailants raided the village from around 5 p.m. Thursday until 3:30 a.m. Friday, setting buildings ablaze and shooting residents who attempted to flee. Faru noted that the attackers have been moving between villages, leaving a trail of destruction.
The number of abducted women and children remains unclear, as traditional leaders and local authorities are still accounting for those missing. Police representatives in Zamfara state were unavailable for comment.
A resident, Abdullahi Sani, 41, said three members of his family were killed. “No one slept yesterday; we are all in pain,” he said. He added that villagers had warned security forces after spotting more than 150 armed men on motorcycles the previous day, but the alert was reportedly ignored.
Northern Nigeria has seen a surge in attacks by so-called “bandits,” involving killings, abductions for ransom, and mass displacement, intensifying pressure on the government to restore security and stability in the region.
