Gunmen Abduct 46 in Zamfara Town Raid

At least 46 people, including women and children, were abducted during a late-night raid on Gana town in Zamfara State, according to reports. The attack occurred around 10 p.m. on Sunday when armed gunmen on motorcycles stormed the area, firing indiscriminately and setting homes and businesses ablaze. Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with residents fleeing into nearby bushes to evade the attackers. The gunmen reportedly carried out a house-to-house search, abducting individuals unable to escape, primarily targeting women and children. This incident follows a similar attack in Kakidawa, Gidan Goga district of Maradun Local Government Area, where 43 people were abducted last month. The northern region of Nigeria has seen a rise in kidnappings for ransom, with criminals increasingly targeting vulnerable communities. The surge in violence has heightened concerns over the safety and security of residents in Zamfara and neighboring states. Although the Nigerian military has intensified efforts to combat terrorism in Zamfara—successfully neutralizing several terrorists in Tsafe Local Government Area last month and launching airstrikes on hideouts—the region continues to grapple with persistent security challenges, including kidnappings and armed banditry.