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At least seventeen farmers have been killed, and several others injured after suspected bandits attacked Goran Namaye village in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
A resident of the community, Ibrahim Mohammed, said the attack occurred on Friday while the victims were working on their farms.
According to him, the attackers had earlier warned residents against going to their farmlands during the planting season, but some farmers ignored the threat and continued their activities.
Mohammed said the gunmen stormed the farmlands in large numbers and opened fire on the farmers, killing 17 of them and injuring several others.
“Suddenly, the bandits, who were in large numbers, invaded the farmlands and started to shoot at the farmers.
“They were able to kill 17 farmers, while several others sustained various degrees of injuries,” Mohammed said.
He added that the victims were buried in a mass funeral, while those injured were taken to a hospital in Talata-Mafara for treatment.
A member of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Maharazu Salisu, condemned the attack and urged both the federal and state governments to take urgent action to address the deteriorating security situation in the area.
He warned that persistent attacks on farming communities could discourage agricultural activities and worsen food insecurity.
Salisu said armed groups had continued to terrorise communities across the local government area, forcing many residents to live in fear.
The lawmaker also alleged that some residents abducted in neighbouring communities remained in captivity despite efforts to secure their release.
“Both the state and the Federal government should do something urgently to stop these killings, otherwise, our people will be prevented from farming this year.
“These bandits are everywhere in the local government and are bent on making sure that farming activities are stopped.
“They are not demanding ransom from farmers when they kidnap them, as their mission is just to stop farming activities,” Salisu said.
He called on security agencies to intensify operations in the area and ensure farmers can return to their fields without fear of attack.
