Criminal terrorist gangs, known in Nigeria as “bandits” recently murdered at least 11 people and abducted at least 80 others in northwest Nigeria, were terror gangs threaten and harass local villagers.
The armed thugs have attacked schools, villages and travelers on the roads in the Zamfara state. They are creating continuous chaos and fear and their goal is to influence the upcoming presidential election set to take place in February 2023.
In the village of Masu, 50 people, mostly consisting of married women, were abducted by the armed “bandits.” “We had over 50 married women being abducted along with quite unknown number of innocent farmers,” Sarkin Fawa Masu, a traditional leader, said.
Some of the women were released by the gang members, but two men were severely beaten and had to be hospitalized, according to witnesses. It is reported that about 27 people are still being held by the kidnappers.
On November 6, 11 people were killed in the Yar Tasha community of the Bungudu and Zurmi areas, and at least seven farmers were kidnapped, including a district leader, according to local residents. Many children were recently kidnapped in the Katsina state in the north, and ransom was demanded in order to secure their return to their families.
The violence in Nigeria has intensified since 2020, and the regional government is unable to provide security for people in remote areas.
The armed terrorists pillage villages, steal farm animals and take people hostage. More than 800 school-aged children have been abducted over the past two years. The terrorists demand ransom money for their return.
Over the last 10 years, more than 30,000 people have been killed in Nigeria by Boko Haram, a dangerous terrorist group. The attacks have spread into the neighboring countries of Chad, Niger and Cameroon. Over two million people have fled from their homes due to the terror inflicted on their villages and families.
On November 14 it was reported that dozens of armed bandits were killed in a Nigerian military operation that took two days in a forest near the community of Gadar Zaima in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State, according to local residents.
The troops were able to overcome a gang of armed men moving with large numbers of cattle. One hundred motorcycles and about 600 cows were recovered and returned to the villagers.
In a related victory, security forces were able to neutralize a notorious bandit commander known as ‘Dogo Maikasuwa’ in Kaduna State.