At least 11 people have been reported killed and more than 50 kidnapped in a night attack in Sabon Garin Damri in the Bakura LGA of Zamfara.

Residents said the attack occurred over the weekend as armed bandits invaded the community.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity for personal safety, told Peoples Gazette on Monday about the violent raid. 

“The bandits stormed the village on motorbikes, shooting endlessly. It was clear that the attack was coordinated as people, aged and children, were whisked away while some were killed,” said the resident.

A police spokesperson in Zamfara did not reply to a request seeking comment on the attack.

Last month, Amnesty International raised the alarm over the persisting inefficiency of government and security authorities in ensuring the safety of lives and property in Zamfara.

The human rights organisation decried the failure of President Bola Tinubu and the security forces to rein in the rampaging bandits who now control 725 villages in 13 Zamfara local government areas.

“Across Zamfara state, attacks occur daily, with multiple attacks sometimes taking place in a single day. Residents of villages in Zamfara state told Amnesty International that gunmen also impose levies on them via phone calls, with the warning that failure to pay by a given deadline will be punished with death,” stated Amnesty International.