Armed assailants unleashed a brutal attack on a mining village in Nigeria’s northwestern Zamfara state, killing at least 20 people and injuring dozens more, according to Amnesty International.
The massacre took place in Gobirawa Chali, a village within the Dan Gulbi district, around midday Thursday. Gunmen, arriving on motorcycles, descended upon the community in what Amnesty described as a “house-to-house killing spree” in a statement on X the same day.
A report indicated that their rampage began at a local gold-mining site, where they killed 14 people. More bodies were later discovered inside homes and a mosque, indicating the attackers systematically targeted the village beyond the initial site.
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While the precise motive remains unclear, violent bandit groups in the region frequently carry out mass killings and abductions for ransom. Many such groups are believed to be made up of former herders engaged in long-standing conflicts with settled farming communities.
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The mineral-rich northwest of Nigeria has become a stronghold for dozens of armed factions, who exploit the lack of a sustained security presence to terrorize villagers and motorists along major highways.
“The people of Dan Gulbi district have been repeatedly attacked by gunmen and continue to live perpetually in fear of a potential attack,” Amnesty International stated, underscoring the relentless trauma inflicted on the local population.
This isn’t the first time Zamfara has faced such violence. In December, gunmen abducted at least 50 residents, including women and children, in the Maradun area, highlighting the persistent threat to civilians.
Kidnapping for ransom remains a primary source of revenue for these armed groups, fueling further violence and allowing them to exert control over vulnerable communities across the volatile region.
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