Gunmen abducted over 100 people in Nigeria’s northwest, according to local residents. Motorcycle-riding armed men rampaged through villages in Zamfara state, kidnapping the residents after they refused to pay a “tax” imposed on them. Kidnapping for ransom has become widespread in north-western Nigeria, with gangs targeting villages, schools, and travelers for millions of naira in exchange for their release. Reuters reported that one person was killed in the attack, and a resident from the village of Mutunji revealed that over 100 people, mostly women and young individuals, were taken by the gunmen. The gunmen’s leader is reportedly named “Damana” and controls much of the region in the absence of state security forces, with the villagers claiming that the terrorists send them to work as agricultural laborers in the forest. Nigeria is grappling with various security challenges, including terrorist insurgency, clashes between animal herders and farmers, separatist movements, and militants demanding a greater share of oil profits. President Bola Tinubu, who recently took office, has yet to outline his plans to address the insecurity issues in the nation. Instead, he has cited his experience as the former governor of Borno state, which is home to several militant groups and the Boko Haram insurgency.
North Nigeria Motorcycle Gang Kidnaps Dozens in Brazen Attack
