A fresh wave of violence has swept through parts of north-west Nigeria, with gunmen killing dozens of villagers in separate attacks in Zamfara and Kebbi states, prompting renewed security deployments.
In Zamfara, at least 30 people were killed on Thursday night when armed men invaded Dutsin Ajiya village in Anka Local Government Area. Residents said the attackers arrived on motorbikes, sealing off access routes before launching the assault.
A villager who witnessed the attack said the gunmen opened fire to cause panic. “As we were running for safety, they started attacking houses, resulting in the deaths of many residents,” he said. Several villagers are still unaccounted for.
Another source put the toll higher, saying, “The attack resulted in the death of at least 30 residents, men and women. Many were wounded, and several others were abducted during the raid.”
As of the time of reporting, no official statement had been released by the police.
However, Nuhu Anka, Director General of Media and Publicity in the office of the governor of Zamfara State, said the state government was stepping up efforts to contain the violence. Speaking to News Bracket, he said authorities had supplied armoured vehicles and drones to the military and other security agencies to bolster operations.
Anka added that Governor Dauda Lawal had shown the determination needed to confront insecurity, stressing that the administration was committed to ending the crisis. Zamfara has endured persistent bandit attacks since 2010, with repeated loss of lives and destruction of property.
Meanwhile, in Kebbi State, security forces have reinforced their presence following the killing of at least 33 people in four villages in the Bui District of Arewa Local Government Area on Wednesday.
Gunmen reportedly stormed the communities, attacking residents and rustling cattle. In a statement, Police Public Relations Officer Bashir Usman said the Nigeria Police Force, working alongside the military and other agencies, had deployed additional personnel and operational assets to the area.
According to Usman, sustained patrols were underway to restore calm. The command expressed regret over the deaths and conveyed condolences to families of the victims and residents of Arewa Local Government Area.
Preliminary findings, the police said, suggest that armed Lakurawa militants carried out the attacks to steal cattle. The assailants are believed to have crossed into Kebbi from Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The police warned residents against confronting armed groups, urging them instead to report suspicious movements through established security channels. “Targeted operations are ongoing to track and apprehend the perpetrators, prevent a recurrence and strengthen early warning mechanisms,” the statement added.
The Lakurawa group is known to operate around border communities in Sokoto State, where it has been linked to cattle rustling, village raids and kidnappings for ransom.
