Armed bandits launched a devastating overnight assault on Tungan Dutse village in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of northwestern Nigeria’s Zamfara State, killing at least 50 people and abducting several women and children, local authorities and residents confirmed.
The attack began around 5 p.m. on Thursday, February 20, and continued until approximately 3:30 a.m. on Friday, February 21. Gunmen arrived on motorcycles, surrounded the remote village, set multiple buildings ablaze, and opened indiscriminate fire on fleeing residents.
Survivors described a scene of chaos as the attackers moved methodically, blocking escape routes and targeting anyone who attempted to run.
Hamisu A. Faru, the lawmaker representing Bukkuyum South in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, stated that the bandits appeared to have operated across multiple villages in the area.
“They have been moving from one village to another … leaving at least 50 people dead,” Faru said. He added that officials were still compiling lists of missing persons, making the exact number of abductions unclear at this time.
Police spokesperson Yazid Abubakar confirmed the raid targeted the village, noting that calm had been restored and security forces were now patrolling the area.
Some reports placed the death toll slightly lower at around 38, but local sources and international media consistently cited figures of at least 50 fatalities.
The assault is the latest in a long-running wave of banditry plaguing Nigeria’s northwest, where criminal gangs, often operating from forest hideouts, carry out killings, kidnappings for ransom, and village raids.
Zamfara State has been particularly hard-hit, with hundreds of villages deserted due to repeated threats and attacks since 2012, according to human rights groups like Amnesty International.
The African Union Commission strongly condemned the incident as a “heinous and coordinated terrorist attack.” Chairperson H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf described the killings and abductions as grave violations of human rights and threats to continental peace and security.
In a statement, he expressed full solidarity with the Nigerian government and people, offered condolences to bereaved families, and called for the immediate, safe, and unconditional release of all abducted women and children.
Somalia also joined international condemnation, denouncing the attack and highlighting the persistent insecurity in the region.
No group has claimed responsibility, and authorities have not yet released details on any rescue operations or arrests.
Residents in affected communities continue to live in fear amid ongoing security challenges in the northwest.
This incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures to protect vulnerable rural populations from armed groups.
Authorities have urged calm while investigations continue.
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