Scores killed in northwest Nigeria attacks

At least 20 people were killed after armed gangs attacked villages in Zamfara State, northwest Nigeria, with a large number of bandits invading communities between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. local time. Nasiru Lauwali, the Sauna district representative, described the onslaught and underscored a pattern of violence in the region, where gangs raid villages, steal livestock, and kidnap residents for ransom. Separately, security forces killed at least three suspected bandits in Kwara State while rescuing a businessman, and the broader threat of abductions for ransom has intensified across the country. The violence is linked to a wider security crisis fueled by the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast, and SBM Intelligence estimated ransom payments exceeding $1.6 million in 2024. In recent weeks, authorities have emphasized arrests and operations against kidnappers, including a high-profile rescue of civilians abducted from schools in Oyo State, with officials signaling efforts to leverage hostage situations against imprisoned commanders. The pattern of attacks, kidnappings, and counter-efforts highlights ongoing instability in Nigeria’s northwest and central regions.