Armed gangs attacked villages in Zamfara State between 3pm and 4pm (14:00–15:00 GMT), killing at least 20 people, witnesses and AFP report. Security forces later killed three suspected attackers in Kwara State and freed businessman Tuhkur Sanni. Dozens of students and teachers were rescued after 56 days in captivity in Oyo State; President Tinubu said eight suspects were arrested and some attackers were killed. Analysts link the violence to a wider security crisis, and SBM Intelligence says ransom payments topped $1.6m in 2024.
More Than 20 Killed in Zamfara Village Attacks as Kidnapping Crisis Deepens
Law enforcement officers during a visit to Ogun State, Nigeria [Sodiq Adelakun/Reuters]
At least 20 people were killed when armed attackers raided several villages in Zamfara State in northwest Nigeria, witnesses and the AFP news agency report. The raids occurred in the afternoon and sowed fresh fear in a region already grappling with recurrent banditry and kidnappings.
"Between 3pm [14:00 GMT] and 4pm [15:00 GMT] today, a large number of bandits stormed our communities and targeted everyone they met,"
said Nasiru Lauwali, the representative of Sauna district in Talata Mafara local government, in an interview with AFP.
Security forces have continued operations in the northwest and neighbouring states. Late on Tuesday, authorities in Kwara State said they killed at least three suspected attackers and freed a businessman, Tuhkur Sanni, The Punch reported. The government is also pursuing those responsible for a high-profile kidnapping in Oyo State: dozens of students and teachers were rescued earlier this month after 56 days in captivity.
President Bola Tinubu announced that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested following the Oyo rescue and said an unspecified number of perpetrators were killed. Defence Minister Christopher Musa added that the suspects had planned to use the hostages as bargaining chips to pressure the government into releasing detained commanders.
Analysts and security officials say the recent surge in raids and abductions is part of a broader security crisis, aggravated in part by the longstanding Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast. According to SBM Intelligence, attackers collected more than $1.6 million in ransom payments during 2024, underscoring how profitable kidnappings have become for criminal networks.
The spate of attacks — including raids, livestock theft and mass abductions — continues to displace communities and strain local security forces. Observers say coordinated security responses, better intelligence sharing and strengthened community protection measures are needed to curb the violence.
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