At least 20 people, mostly young girls and women, have been abducted by armed bandits in Moriki town, Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Residents said the attack occurred on Saturday when the victims left the town to fetch firewood.
According to a resident, Sufyanu Moriki, who spoke to Channels Television, the assailants ambushed and kidnapped the people on Saturday when the victims went out to fetch firewood at the outskirts of the town.
According to him, the kidnappers have yet to contact the families or community leaders to demand ransom.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Zamfara State Police Command, Yazid Abubakar, told newsmen that he had not received details of the attack.
“I am yet to be informed about the incident but will revert once I have the information,” Abubakar told Channels Television.
Naijaonpoint reports that Zamfara and other states in northwest Nigeria have battled rising banditry for over a decade.
What began as clashes between herders and farmers over land and water rights has evolved into organised crime, with armed gangs raiding rural communities with little government presence.
The violence has worsened a malnutrition crisis as attacks force residents off their farms. Climate change and cuts to Western aid have further complicated the humanitarian situation.
Last month, bandits killed 33 hostages they had abducted in February despite collecting a $33,700 ransom. Three babies also died in captivity during the ordeal.
Since 2011, armed gangs have expanded their activities across the northwest, engaging in cattle rustling, mass kidnappings, and extortion of farmers and miners.
The violence has spread into the north-central states.
Two weeks ago, Nigerian troops killed at least 95 gang members during a military operation in Niger State. While improved coordination between ground troops and airstrikes has helped, analysts warn that aerial bombardments have also resulted in civilian casualties.
Bandits motivated by financial gain have increasingly collaborated with jihadist groups waging a 16-year insurgency in the northeast.
The emergence of the Lakurawa jihadist group in the northwest has further escalated violence.
In response, state governments have resorted to recruiting anti-jihadist militias to assist the military in combating the rising threat.
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