Army launches manhunt after bandits abduct over 150 in Zamfara

A major security operation is underway in northwest Nigeria after armed bandits carried out one of the region’s largest recent mass abductions in Zamfara State.

Security forces have launched a manhunt for the attackers, following coordinated raids on villages in the Bukkuyum area that left communities deserted and dozens injured.

The gunmen stormed Kurfa Danya and Kurfan Magaji villages on Thursday, opening fire on homes and vehicles before sweeping through the town, according to local officials.

Umar Abubakar Faru, chairman of Bukkuyum LGA, said more than 150 residents, mostly women and children, were abducted and taken into nearby forest hideouts.

The scale and speed of the attack, combined with the number of victims, have heightened concerns about worsening insecurity in the region.

Security forces respond

Police authorities in Zamfara State confirmed the нападение but said the exact number of abductees is still being verified.

In response, a joint task force comprising the police, military, and other security agencies has been deployed to track down the attackers and rescue victims.

Officials said some residents who managed to escape were taken to the hospital, while search-and-rescue operations are ongoing.

A region under pressure

The latest incident underscores the persistent security crisis in northwest Nigeria, where armed groups have for years carried out mass kidnappings, village raids, and attacks on rural communities.

Operating from vast forest corridors, these groups often target vulnerable settlements, abducting residents for ransom and forcing entire communities to flee.

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While authorities say operations are ongoing, the attack adds to growing pressure on security agencies to contain banditry and restore stability across the region.