In yet another devastating attack in Zamfara State, bandits have reportedly struck communities in Wanke, near Gusau, abducting over 100 people, including women, children, the elderly, and the community’s Chief Imam. News360 Nigeria reports that the Imam, who had recently been released after a prior abduction, was recovering from a leg injury at the time of the incident.
According to local sources, this marks the second time the Chief Imam has been targeted by abductors, highlighting the deepening insecurity that has plagued the region. Authorities have yet to release an official statement on the attack.
In an interview monitored on the BBC Hausa Service, a survivor described the chaotic scenes as terrified residents scrambled for safety. “Near Sabon Layi, over 50 people were taken, and near Dogon Hayi, about 50 more were abducted,” he said, noting that the exact number of victims remained unclear amid the turmoil.
The survivor recounted the brutality of the bandits’ assault: “The terrorists chased people as if they were hunting animals, pursuing residents on motorbikes, invading homes, and abducting women. Some were intercepted while trying to escape and taken into the bush.”
Multiple communities—Gira, Ruwa Kusa, Dogon Hayi, and Gidan Kado—were also targeted, with the bandits reportedly stealing motorcycles, farm produce, smartphones, and provisions from local shops.
Efforts to reach authorities in Wanke for assistance went unanswered, leaving residents frustrated and fearful. The survivor noted that these attacks have persisted for nearly nine years, driving many to seek refuge in Gusau. “There are no animals here anymore,” he lamented. “Once night falls, everyone is filled with dread, as staying in these communities overnight has become extremely dangerous.”
Efforts to contact police for comment were unsuccessful, according to the BBC Hausa report. Residents now await any official response as the security crisis in Zamfara continues to escalate, leaving communities vulnerable to repeated attacks.