Bandits unleashed fresh violence in Zamfara State after storming a rural community in the early hours of Tuesday, leaving one resident dead and scores of others taken away during a coordinated assault that spread panic across the area.
Residents said the attackers targeted a busy commercial cluster within Bungudu Local Government Area, firing repeatedly to overpower locals and force their way through the community.
Moreover, the gunmen reportedly operated for several minutes without resistance, exploiting the late-night timing of the raid.
Security sources disclosed that the attack occurred around 12:30 a.m. on December 16 in the Karakkai axis, where heavily armed assailants wielding AK-47 rifles and other advanced weapons carried out a sustained shooting spree.
Hence, many residents were unable to flee before the kidnappers seized their victims.
A 21-year-old man, identified as Lukman Rabe, was shot and killed during the invasion.
An unspecified number of residents were abducted and taken to an undisclosed location, deepening fears among families still searching for missing relatives.
“This was a calculated operation aimed at terrorising the community and kidnapping as many people as possible,” a local security source said, noting that the attackers moved swiftly and appeared familiar with the terrain.
However, military troops, alongside police operatives and local vigilante hunters, were quickly deployed to the area to restore calm and prevent further escalation.
Patrols were reinforced across surrounding communities to deter additional attacks.
Authorities confirmed that rescue operations are ongoing, with security agencies intensifying efforts to track the kidnappers and secure the release of the abducted victims.
Furthermore, residents have been advised to remain alert and promptly report suspicious movements to law enforcement agencies.
Zamfara State has continued to grapple with persistent banditry, as communities repeatedly call for stronger security measures to protect lives, livelihoods, and local commerce across the region.