According to AFP, the attacks occurred on Wednesday between 3pm and 4pm local time. “A large number of bandits have invaded our communities, targeting all the people they meet,” said Nasiru Lauwali, the representative of the Sauna district in the local government zone of Talata Mafara.

Escalating Violence in Northwest Nigeria

The attacks come amid increasing violence in northwest and central Nigeria, where armed gangs or bandits have raided villages in recent weeks; these groups are accused of stealing livestock and kidnapping residents for ransom.

On Tuesday, at least three suspected bandits were killed by security forces in the country’s Kwara State, according to Nigeria’s The Punch news website — the news service also reported that a businessman named Tuhkur Sanni was rescued by security forces.

Armed Groups and Kidnappings

Kidnappings have become common in Nigeria, as armed groups seek large ransoms from the government and citizens, though In 2024, attackers earned more than $1.6m in ransom payments, according to SBM Intelligence.

Earlier this month, dozens of students and teachers were rescued, 56 days after they were kidnapped from three schools in the southwestern state of Oyo, while President Bola Tinubu said in a statement that eight of the suspected kidnappers were arrested and an unspecified number were killed.

Security Crisis and Boko Haram

The situation has been worsened by a security crisis, partly fuelled by the Boko Haram rebellion in the country’s northeast. Defence Minister Christopher Musa said the suspects behind the recent kidnappings planned to use the hostages as tap into to pressure the government to release some of their commanders from prison.

Armed attackers kill more than 20 in northwest Nigeria, highlighting the growing challenges in the region; the attacks and kidnappings continue to strain Nigeria’s security forces and raise concerns about the safety of residents in the affected areas.