ABUJA — Nigerian authorities reported that gunmen killed at least 17 people and injured several others in an attack on a farming community in the northwestern state of Zamfara, underscoring persistent security challenges in a region affected by years of armed violence and kidnappings, local officials said.
The attack occurred on Friday in Goron Namaye, a community in Maradun Local Government Area, where armed men opened fire on farmers working in their fields, according to local authorities. Officials said at least 17 people were killed and 13 others were injured, though authorities continued to assess the full extent of the casualties.
Sanusi Dosara, chairman of Maradun Local Government Area, confirmed the attack and called for additional security operations in the area. “The attackers came in large numbers and targeted farmers on their farmlands,” Dosara said, according to reports carried by local and international media.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the assault. Zamfara State has been a focal point of violence involving heavily armed criminal groups commonly referred to as bandits. The groups have been linked to killings, kidnappings for ransom, cattle rustling and attacks on rural communities across northwestern Nigeria.
The latest incident follows a series of recent security incidents in the region. Earlier this month, gunmen abducted dozens of people during a meeting in Zamfara that had been organized as part of local peace negotiations, according to police and community leaders. Authorities said security forces subsequently launched search and rescue operations.
Northwestern Nigeria has experienced recurring attacks despite military operations aimed at dismantling armed groups operating from forested areas. Security analysts and local officials have said rural communities often remain vulnerable because of limited security presence and difficult terrain. The violence has disrupted farming activities and displaced residents in several parts of the region.
The attack also comes as Nigerian lawmakers advance legislation that would allow states to establish their own police forces alongside the federal police system. Supporters of the proposal argue that locally controlled forces could improve responses to security threats, while critics have raised concerns about oversight and funding.
President Bola Tinubu's administration has repeatedly pledged to improve security and reduce violence across the country. However, armed attacks and kidnappings continue to affect communities in several northern states.
As of Monday, security agencies were continuing investigations into the Zamfara attack and pursuing those responsible, officials said. Authorities had not announced any arrests, and details regarding the identity of the assailants remained unclear.
