No fewer than 40 residents, mostly women and children, have been abducted by armed bandits during coordinated attacks on 11 communities in Mayanchi District of Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, raising fresh concerns over the worsening security situation in the North-West.
Residents said the attackers are believed to be loyalists of notorious bandit kingpin, Kachalla Sa’idu, who has been linked to several deadly attacks and mass kidnappings across Maru, Maradun and Talata Mafara local government areas.
The latest abductions have thrown the affected communities into fear, with many residents fleeing their homes over concerns that more attacks could follow.
Sources in the area said the gunmen invaded several communities in Mayanchi District in a coordinated operation, moving from village to village and abducting scores of residents.
Most of those taken away were said to be women and children, while some men reportedly escaped into nearby forests during the attack.
Although the identities of all the affected communities have not been officially released, local sources said the attacks covered at least 11 settlements within the district.
Residents believe the attacks were carried out in retaliation for the death of one of the bandits during an earlier confrontation with villagers.
A resident of the area, Alhaji Lauwali Abdullahi, said the crisis began about a week ago when gunmen loyal to Kachalla Sa’idu attempted to invade Garagi village.
According to him, the villagers resisted the attack and fought back.
He said the confrontation led to the death of one of the attackers, while residents also recovered the rifle belonging to the slain bandit.
“The villagers defended themselves and succeeded in killing one of the bandits. They also seized his rifle,” Abdullahi said.
He explained that shortly after the incident, the bandit leader allegedly threatened to unleash attacks on communities across the district if the weapon was not returned.
According to Abdullahi, Kachalla Sa’idu warned that every community from Garagi to Mayanchi town would face attacks unless the rifle was handed back.
Another community source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of security concerns, said the bandit leader later sent a fresh message to traditional and community leaders.
The source said Sa’idu threatened to kill all the people currently being held captive if his rifle was not returned or replaced with another firearm.
“The message was clear. He said the captives would be killed if the rifle was not returned or replaced,” the source said.
The threat has heightened fear among families of the abducted victims, many of whom are now appealing to the authorities to secure their safe release.
Residents said the affected communities have been living under constant fear, with many people abandoning their farms and businesses because of repeated attacks.
Several villages in Maru Local Government Area have suffered similar raids over the past few years as armed groups continue to operate from forests stretching across Zamfara and neighbouring states.
Confirming the latest incident, the Chairman of Maru Local Government Area, Hon. Bello Jabaka, said the council was fully aware of the attacks and the deteriorating security situation in Mayanchi District.
He said the local government was working closely with security agencies to restore peace and protect residents.
“We are aware of the security challenges in Mayanchi District, and efforts are ongoing in collaboration with security agencies to address the situation,” Jabaka said.
He admitted that bandits had continued to terrorise several communities within the local government despite ongoing security operations.
According to him, urgent and stronger measures are required to end the activities of criminal groups operating in the area.
The latest attack once again highlights the growing security challenges facing Zamfara State, one of the states most affected by armed banditry in Nigeria.
For years, communities across the state have experienced repeated attacks involving mass abductions, killings, cattle rustling and destruction of property.
Many of the criminal gangs operate from forests that stretch across Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and parts of Niger State, making it difficult for security agencies to completely dismantle their camps.
Bandit leaders often demand huge ransoms for kidnapped victims and sometimes impose illegal levies on rural communities before allowing residents access to their farms.
In some cases, communities that resist their demands are attacked, with houses burnt and residents either killed or abducted.
The Federal Government and security agencies have intensified military operations against bandit groups in the North-West through both air and ground offensives.
Troops have carried out several operations targeting criminal hideouts in Zamfara and neighbouring states, leading to the killing of several bandit leaders and the rescue of kidnapped victims.
Despite these operations, attacks continue in many rural communities where difficult terrain, vast forests and limited security presence provide cover for criminal groups.
The latest incident has also renewed concerns about the strategic importance of Mayanchi District.
The district serves as a major route linking Zamfara State with Sokoto State, the Niger Republic, Zuru Local Government Area of Kebbi State and parts of Niger State.
Its location has made it an important transit corridor for both legitimate travellers and criminal groups moving across state and international borders.
Residents have appealed to the Federal Government, the Zamfara State Government and security agencies to deploy more troops to the area to prevent further attacks.
They also called for the immediate rescue of those abducted and stronger security measures to enable displaced families to return to their homes and resume their normal lives.
As families anxiously await news of their loved ones, the latest mass abduction adds to the growing list of security incidents that continue to test efforts to restore lasting peace in Zamfara and other parts of Nigeria’s North-West.