Gunmen Kill at Least 50 People in Northwest Nigeria Village Attack

Post by : Saif Nasser

At least 50 people were killed and several women and children were abducted in a violent attack by armed men in northwest Nigeria, officials and residents said on Friday. The incident took place in a village in Zamfara State, one of the areas that has suffered long-running violence by armed groups.

The attack began late on Thursday afternoon in the Tungan Dutse village, where the gunmen arrived on motorcycles. They moved through the community from about 5 p.m. until 3:30 a.m. the next morning, setting fire to buildings and shooting people who tried to flee.

A local lawmaker, Hamisu A. Faru, told reporters that the gunmen “have been moving from one village to another … leaving at least 50 people dead.” The exact number of people taken captive is still unknown, as local leaders are still compiling lists of the missing.

A resident named Abdullahi Sani, 41, described the horror to journalists, saying that the attackers came in large numbers and that his own family suffered losses. “No one slept yesterday,” he said, “we are all in pain.”

The violence in northwest Nigeria has continued despite repeated calls for greater security. Local residents reported that they saw more than 150 motorcycles carrying armed men in the area before the attack, but said their warnings to security forces were not acted upon in time.

Zamfara state and neighbouring parts of northern Nigeria have been plagued for years by attacks from armed gangs often called “bandits.” These groups frequently raid villages, kill civilians, abduct people for ransom, burn homes, and steal livestock. Such violence has forced many families to flee their homes and has disrupted life in rural communities across the region.

The government faces growing pressure to respond and to protect civilians. The repeated attacks have highlighted deep challenges in security and governance. Officials and citizens alike are calling for better protection and more effective action to prevent more deaths and kidnappings.

In the face of this bleak situation, many residents are frightened and unsure what will come next. Villagers have urged authorities to strengthen patrols, improve early warning systems, and work more closely with local communities so that residents do not feel abandoned. The painful loss of life in this recent attack has once again brought attention to the urgent need for peace and stability in the region.

The national and state governments have not yet given full details on how they will respond to this latest massacre. However, leaders at all levels must act to stop the violence and reassure ordinary people that their lives and families matter.

For many, the attack is a tragic reminder that insecurity continues to affect parts of Nigeria and that more needs to be done to protect civilians living in vulnerable areas.