Nigeria Abduction: Bandits Kidnap Over 50 in Northwest Zamfara State
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More than 50 people have been abducted in a mass kidnapping carried out by armed bandits in northwest Nigeria, marking a significant escalation in the region’s ongoing security crisis. The incident, which occurred Friday in the village of Sabon Garin Damri in Zamfara state, was detailed in a private conflict monitoring report shared with Agence France-Presse on Sunday.
Escalating Violence in Zamfara
The recent abduction is the first reported “mass capture” incident in the Bakura local government area this year, according to the report. This event underscores a disturbing trend of increasingly large-scale attacks in northern Zamfara, signaling a potential shift in bandit strategy. “The recent trend of mass captures in Zamfara has been concerning,” the report stated.
Authorities have yet to comment publicly on the incident. A spokesperson for the Zamfara police department did not respond to requests for information.
Roots of the Banditry Crisis
Nigeria’s escalating banditry crisis has complex origins, initially stemming from disputes over land and water resources between nomadic herders and settled farmers. However, the conflict has evolved into a sophisticated criminal enterprise, with gangs now engaging in widespread kidnapping for ransom, village looting, and the imposition of unofficial “taxes” on local communities. These groups exploit the lack of consistent government presence in rural areas.
The situation is further exacerbated by a growing malnutrition crisis in the northwest, as attacks disrupt agricultural activities and drive people from their farms. This is compounded by the effects of climate breakdown and reductions in western aid.
Brutality and Ransom Payments
The brutality of these groups was recently highlighted by an incident last month in Zamfara, where bandits killed 33 people they had previously kidnapped in February – despite receiving a ransom of $33,700 (approximately £25,000). Tragically, three babies died in captivity during this period, according to local sources.
A Decade of Growing Instability
The emergence of organized armed gangs in northwest Nigeria dates back to 2011, coinciding with an increase in arms trafficking and broader instability across the Sahel region. Initially focused on cattle rustling, these groups quickly expanded into kidnapping, transforming it into a lucrative criminal enterprise in the largely impoverished countryside. They also routinely levy taxes on farmers and artisanal miners.
Spread of Violence and Military Response
In recent years, the violence has spread beyond the northwest, extending into north-central Nigeria. Nigerian troops reported killing at least 95 members of an armed gang in a recent operation involving a shootout and airstrikes in the northwest state of Niger two weeks ago.
However, the military is facing significant challenges due to being overstretched. While improved cooperation between the army and air force has bolstered the fight against the bandits, airstrikes have also resulted in civilian casualties over the years, according to analysts.
Jihadist Links and Regional Concerns
The primary motivation of the bandits remains financial gain, but there is growing evidence of increased cooperation with jihadist groups operating in Nigeria, particularly those involved in a separate 16-year armed insurrection in the northeast. The recent emergence of the Lakurawa jihadist group in the northwest has further intensified the violence in the region.
In response, governments in affected states have been compelled to recruit anti-jihadist militias – originally deployed to combat militants in the northeast – to assist in countering the bandit threat. This highlights the increasingly complex and interconnected nature of the security challenges facing Nigeria.
