At least 150 people, mostly women and children, were abducted after gunmen attacked the villages of Kurfa Danya and Kurfan Magaji in Zamfara State on Thursday, according to Amnesty International.
Residents say they are living in constant fear, describing a daily reality of anxiety and helplessness as violence continues to grip their communities. The incident once again highlights the deepening insecurity in Nigeria’s northwest, a crisis many have described as a “forgotten conflict” due to its persistence and devastating impact on rural populations.
Despite repeated assurances from authorities, the rising number of attacks and mass abductions points to ongoing challenges in restoring peace to the region.
In a separate incident the same day, gunmen ambushed the convoy of Alhaji Mouktar Lugga, Chief of Staff to the Zamfara State Governor, along the Funtua–Gusau highway.
The attack occurred around 6:16 p.m. near Kucheri village as Lugga was returning to Gusau from an official engagement. According to security sources, the attackers emerged from both sides of the road and opened heavy fire on the convoy.
One bullet reportedly pierced the windshield, narrowly missing the driver, while another gunman’s weapon failed to fire at close range. Despite the intensity of the attack, the driver managed to speed out of the area, ensuring the safety of all occupants. No injuries were reported.
The incidents have further raised concerns about the worsening security situation in Zamfara and the broader northwest region, where communities continue to bear the brunt of recurring violence.
