At least 24 farmers have been killed and several others reported missing after suspected bandits attacked a farming community in Sauna Ruwan Gora Ward, Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The attack, which occurred while residents were working on their farms, was condemned by Amnesty International, which described it as another sign that existing security measures in the state have failed to curb persistent violence.
According to the rights organisation, the attackers stormed the community and opened fire on farmers at close range, killing at least 24 people. Several others sustained serious injuries, while many remain unaccounted for.
Amnesty International said the latest incident reflects the continued insecurity across Zamfara despite repeated military operations aimed at tackling armed groups operating in the region.
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The organisation noted that the affected village is about 16 kilometres from Talata Mafara town, stressing that the attack shows that communities close to major towns are no longer safe from armed assaults.
It also alleged that many villages in Zamfara regularly receive threats from armed groups before attacks. Residents reportedly receive phone calls demanding large sums of money, with warnings of killings or abductions if the demands are not met.
According to Amnesty International, the prolonged insecurity has forced many farmers to abandon their farmlands, worsening food insecurity and deepening economic hardship in affected communities.
The organisation urged the Nigerian government to take urgent steps to end the violence, protect vulnerable communities, and ensure that those responsible for the killings are arrested and prosecuted through fair legal processes.
It added that the government has both a constitutional and international obligation to safeguard the lives and security of citizens, including those living in rural communities.
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