Gunmen abduct ’23’ women in Zamfara community

At least 23 women have reportedly been abducted by armed bandits in Moriki town, Zurmi LGA of Zamfara state.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, said the victims were abducted while fetching firewood on the outskirts of the community.

Citing security sources, Makama said the incident occurred at about 1:30pm on August 2.

The publication noted that the assailants whisked the women to an unknown location.

It added that troops of Operation Fansan Yanma, in collaboration with local vigilantes and other security agencies, have launched a search-and-rescue operation.

Security operatives say efforts are underway to ensure the safe return of the victims and to apprehend those behind the abduction.

There has been an uptick in kidnapping activities in the state in recent times.

On July 27, gunmen reportedly killed 33 persons out of 50 kidnapped victims, after collecting a ransom of N50 million in Banga town, Kaura Namoda LGA of the state.

The killing attracted international attention with Gill Lever, the United Kingdom’s deputy high commissioner to Nigeria, describing the incident as an “unspeakable crime”.