Gunmen carried out a large-scale attack in Nigeria’s Zamfara State, killing at least two people and abducting over 100, mostly women and children, according to officials and community leaders. The assault, which struck Gamdum Mallam in Bukkuyum district on Saturday, saw dozens of armed men on motorbikes firing indiscriminately, looting livestock, and taking hostages into the Makakari forest. Witnesses described the raid as one of the most devastating incidents in recent months, highlighting the continuing insecurity in northwest Nigeria.

The village head, Muhammadu Mai Anguwa, told Reuters that the gunmen “killed and kidnapped many women and children” before retreating into the forest. Another resident, Huzaifa Isa, said the attackers split into groups—one capturing people and livestock, while the other set up a roadblock, firing on anyone attempting to flee. “We were being treated like slaves in our own land, as if there is no government,” he said. Local lawmaker Hamisu Faru confirmed that over 100 people were taken and that the armed men also attacked nearby villages, including Ruwan Rana, where at least 46 more people were abducted.

Residents remain fearful as reports suggest the gunmen are regrouping near the forest boundary. The region has long suffered from raids by armed groups, known locally as bandits, who target rural communities, abduct civilians, and disrupt farming. According to SBM Intelligence, at least 4,722 people were kidnapped in northwest Nigeria between July 2024 and June 2025, underscoring the scale of the crisis. Police have not yet issued a statement on the latest attack.