Latest news with #ShehuMusa
Russia Today
6 days ago
- Russia Today
Gunmen abduct dozens in Nigeria
At least 45 women and children were abducted during coordinated overnight attacks on five villages in Nigeria's northwestern Zamfara State, local leaders confirmed on Tuesday. The latest attacks occurred late Monday, when armed men returned to Sabongarin Damri village and raided the surrounding communities. The attack continued into the early morning hours, according to Shehu Musa, the traditional head of Damri, who spoke to Reuters by phone. Musa said the gunmen seized dozens of people from the villages, which lie within a half-kilometer radius of each other. Security forces reportedly engaged the attackers during Monday's raid, killing three of the gunmen. However, they were unable to prevent the militants from fleeing with hostages and stolen livestock. Civilian casualties were also reported, though the number of those killed has not yet been confirmed. The incident is the second large-scale kidnapping in the region in recent days. Armed men on motorbikes killed 11 people and kidnapped at least 70 others, including women and children, in Sabongarin Damri on Saturday. Channels Television reported on July 28 that in Zamfara, bandits killed at least 38 individuals – victims they had abducted in March – even after receiving a ransom of more than 50 million naira (around $33,000). Local government official said the victims were among 56 people abducted from Banga village in Kauran Namoda, Zamfara state earlier this year. The BBC also reported that they were kidnapped in March. 'The government will not rest until every criminal involved in these atrocities is captured or neutralized,' Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal said in a statement. Nigeria has long been plagued by kidnappings conducted by criminal gangs and terrorist groups operating across the West African nation. The groups often hold victims for extended periods, demanding ransom payments for their release. The trend drew global attention in 2014, when Boko Haram militants abducted hundreds of schoolgirls from Chibok village in Borno State. More than 130 children and staff were kidnapped from a school in northern Kaduna State in March 2024 but were rescued by the army days later.
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First Post
7 days ago
- First Post
Nigeria: Second mass abduction in 5 days, at least 45 women among 60 kidnapped by gunmen
In the second mass abduction in Nigeria within a week, armed groups have abducted at least 45 women in Zamfara state. Armed groups, including the jihadist outfit Boko Haram, have frequently abducted hundreds of women in the country in recent years. read more Nigerian military ride on their truck as they secure the area around the Polo area of Maiduguri, Nigeria, February 16, 2019. (Representative Photo, Credit: Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters) Gunmen abducted at least 45 women and children in an overnight raid on five villages in northwest Nigeria, witnesses said, in the second mass kidnapping in the area within days. The attackers returned to Sabongarin Damri on Monday and raided nearby villages including Sade, Tungar Tsalle, Tungar Sodangi and Tungar Musa Dogo, in an assault that lasted until dawn, Shehu Musa, the traditional head of Damri, told Reuters by phone late on Tuesday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The incident followed a separate mass abduction in Sabongarin Damri, in Zamfara state, on Saturday in which 70 people were taken. 'The attackers invaded the communities and kidnapped no fewer than 45 people from the five neighbouring villages, which are less than half a kilometre apart,' Musa said. Armed groups, often referred to locally as 'bandits', have killed hundreds and abducted thousands across Nigeria's northwest in recent years. They typically hold captives for extended periods, demanding ransoms for their release. Security forces engaged the assailants during Monday's attack, killing three, but were unable to stop the bandits from fleeing with hostages and rustling cattle. Civilian casualties were reported, though the number of fatalities was unconfirmed. 'They mostly kidnapped women and children after killing some of our people,' said Hassan Dauda, a resident of Tungar Tsalle. 'As I'm speaking to you now, some residents have started fleeing their community due to fear.' Separately, Boko Haram militias attacked the remote Kennari village, in the Damasak area of the northeastern Borno state, on Monday, abducting at least 15 people and killing one person, according to a security report seen by Reuters. Modu Bukar, a resident, said the assailants killed the village head and demanded a 30 million naira ($19,650) ransom for the release of the captives. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD (This is an agency copy. Except for the headline, the copy has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
Al Arabiya
06-08-2025
- Al Arabiya
Gunmen abduct 60 in northern Nigeria, kill villagers in overnight raids
Gunmen abducted at least 45 women and children in an overnight raid on five villages in northwest Nigeria, witnesses said, in the second mass kidnapping in the area within days. The attackers returned to Sabongarin Damri on Monday and raided nearby villages including Sade, Tungar Tsalle, Tungar Sodangi and Tungar Musa Dogo, in an assault that lasted until dawn, Shehu Musa, the traditional head of Damri, told Reuters by phone late on Tuesday. The incident followed a separate mass abduction in Sabongarin Damri, in Zamfara state, on Saturday in which 70 people were taken. 'The attackers invaded the communities and kidnapped no fewer than 45 people from the five neighboring villages, which are less than half a kilometer apart,' Musa said. Armed groups, often referred to locally as 'bandits,' have killed hundreds and abducted thousands across Nigeria's northwest in recent years. They typically hold captives for extended periods, demanding ransoms for their release. Security forces engaged the assailants during Monday's attack, killing three, but were unable to stop the bandits from fleeing with hostages and rustling cattle. Civilian casualties were reported, though the number of fatalities was unconfirmed. 'They mostly kidnapped women and children after killing some of our people,' said Hassan Dauda, a resident of Tungar Tsalle. 'As I'm speaking to you now, some residents have started fleeing their community due to fear.' Separately, Boko Haram militias attacked the remote Kennari village, in the Damasak area of the northeastern Borno state, on Monday, abducting at least 15 people and killing one person, according to a security report seen by Reuters. Modu Bukar, a resident, said the assailants killed the village head and demanded a 30 million naira ($19,650) ransom for the release of the captives.
Reuters
04-08-2025
- Reuters
Armed men on motorbikes kill 11, kidnap 70 in northwest Nigeria
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Armed men on motorbikes killed 11 people and kidnapped at least 70 others, including women and children, in a village in northwest Nigeria, witnesses said, in a region plagued by mass abductions and unrest. The men opened fire as they rode into Sabongarin Damri in Zamfara State late on Saturday, resident Isa Sani told Reuters. "They came on motorcycles, shooting randomly before abducting our daughters and children. As of today, we haven't heard anything from them. Everywhere is quiet," he said on Monday. Sufiyanu Ibrahim said the attackers kidnapped his wife and shot him in the leg. "There was gunshots everywhere ... I narrowly escaped," he said by phone. At least 11 people were killed, he added. Groups known locally as "bandits" have killed hundreds of people and seized thousands across the state in recent years. They often hold captives for months and demand ransoms for their release. Zamfara, which borders Niger, has become the epicentre of the violent attacks that have disrupted farming and travel and forced thousands to flee their homes. Shehu Musa, the traditional chief of Sabongarin Damri village, confirmed that more than 60 people were taken, including women and children. Zamfara police did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Reuters
04-08-2025
- Reuters
Armed men on motorbikes kidnap more than 60 in northwest Nigeria
MAIDUGURI, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Armed men on motorbikes raided a village in northwestern Nigeria and kidnapped more than 60 people including women and children, witnesses said, in a region that has seen a surge of mass abductions. The men opened fire as they rode into Sabon Garin Damri in Zamfara state on Saturday, resident Isa Sani told Reuters. "They came on motorcycles, shooting randomly before abducting our daughters and children. As of today, we haven't heard anything from them. Everywhere is quiet," he said. Groups known locally as "bandits" have killed hundreds of people and seized thousands across the state in recent years. They often hold captives for months and demand ransoms for their release. "More than 60 people were taken, including women and children," Shehu Musa, the traditional chief of the village, told Reuters by phone on Monday. The assailants also killed a farmer and abducted his son in the nearby village of Rogoji, Musa said. Zamfara, which borders Niger, has become the epicentre of the violent attacks that have disrupted farming and travel and forced thousands to flee their homes. Zamfara police did not immediately respond to requests for comments.
