Armed bandits have kidnapped at least five foreign nationals from Burkina Faso who were working at a gold mining site near Arafa village in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Sources familiar with the incident said the attack happened around 11:15 a.m. on March 14 when a large group of armed men stormed the mining location and forced the workers into the surrounding forest.
The victims were said to be labourers from Burkina Faso who were involved in gold mining activities in the area.
After abducting the workers, the attackers reportedly fled deep into the bush before security forces arrived at the scene.
Security agencies have since launched efforts to locate the kidnappers and rescue the victims.
According to local sources, the attack took place at a mining site close to Arafa village in Maru Local Government Area.
The gunmen were believed to have been hiding in forest areas between Arafa and Gidan Dankande villages before carrying out the operation.
Witnesses said the bandits arrived in large numbers and were heavily armed.
They reportedly surrounded the mining site and quickly took control of the area before seizing the foreign workers.
After the abduction, the gunmen moved the victims into nearby forests, which are known to serve as hideouts for armed groups operating in the region.
Local residents said the attack caused panic in nearby communities, with many villagers fleeing or staying indoors for fear of further violence.
Following the attack, security personnel from a nearby base of Operation FANSAN YAMMA were deployed to the area.
However, by the time the troops arrived, the attackers had already escaped.
Security sources said soldiers and other security agencies are currently combing nearby forests and communities to gather intelligence that could help locate the kidnappers.
Efforts are also underway to track the movement of the bandits and ensure the safe release of the abducted workers.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the kidnappers have made any ransom demands.
Kidnapping for ransom has become a common tactic used by armed groups operating in several parts of north-west Nigeria.
Zamfara State has been one of the states most affected by banditry in recent years.
Armed groups have carried out repeated attacks on villages, highways, and mining sites across the state.
These attacks often involve kidnapping, cattle rustling, and raids on rural communities.
Over the years, the Nigerian government has launched several military operations in the region aimed at dismantling bandit camps and restoring peace.
Despite these efforts, attacks continue to occur in remote areas.
The latest kidnapping has again drawn attention to the link between illegal mining and armed banditry in Zamfara.
The state is known to have large deposits of gold and other minerals, which attract miners from different parts of Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
However, much of the mining activity takes place informally and outside government regulation.
In some cases, bandits are believed to control mining areas or demand payments from miners operating in those locations.
The presence of foreign miners has also increased in recent years due to the economic opportunities created by gold mining.
Workers from neighbouring countries such as Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali sometimes travel to mining areas in north-west Nigeria in search of work.
However, these sites are often located in remote areas where security is weak.
This makes them easy targets for armed groups seeking to abduct workers or extort money.
Both the federal and state governments have in recent years introduced measures aimed at controlling illegal mining in Zamfara.
In 2019, the federal government temporarily banned mining activities in the state in an attempt to reduce the link between mineral resources and bandit funding.
Authorities said the move was necessary because criminal groups were allegedly benefiting from the sale of illegally mined gold.
The government also increased military operations and deployed more security personnel to the state.
Operations such as Operation FANSAN YAMMA were launched to target bandit camps and protect communities.
However, illegal mining has continued in some areas, partly because of poverty and limited job opportunities.
The kidnapping of the foreign miners has raised concerns about the safety of workers in Nigeria’s mining sector.
Nigeria has been trying to develop its mining industry as part of efforts to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on oil.
Gold mining in particular has been identified as a sector with strong potential to generate revenue and create jobs.
For now, security agencies say the search for the kidnapped workers is ongoing.
Troops and intelligence officers are reportedly gathering information from local communities and tracking possible routes used by the bandits.
Authorities say their goal is to locate the victims quickly and secure their safe return.
Meanwhile, residents in parts of Maru Local Government Area remain worried about their safety following the attack.
Community leaders have called for stronger security presence around mining sites and rural villages to prevent similar incidents in the future.
