Fear in Zamfara as armed men abduct 23 women collecting firewood

At least 23 women have been abducted by armed bandits in Moriki town, located in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Daily Watch reports.

According to counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama, the victims were seized around 1:30 p.m. on August 2 while gathering firewood on the outskirts of the community.

The attackers reportedly marched the women to an undisclosed location, triggering panic among locals.

Security forces, including troops from Operation Fansan Yanma, local vigilantes, and other agencies, have since launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation to recover the victims and apprehend the culprits.

The abduction follows a disturbing spike in kidnapping cases across Zamfara. On July 27, 33 of 50 kidnapped victims were reportedly killed in Banga town, Kaura Namoda LGA, despite the payment of a ₦50 million ransom.

The killings sparked widespread outrage, with the UK’s Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever, describing the incident as an “unspeakable crime.”

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As of the time of filing this report, Zamfara State authorities have yet to issue an official response, but public pressure continues to mount for decisive action to stem the tide of insecurity plaguing the region.