Armed attackers kill more than 20 in northwest Nigeria
Armed gangs in northwest Nigeria killed at least 20 people in a series of village raids in Zamfara State. The violence is part of a broader security crisis involving kidnappings for ransom and banditry across the region.
Why it matters
The surge in violence underscores the ongoing security challenges facing the Nigerian government and the humanitarian impact on rural communities.
The attacks reflect a surge in violence as armed gangs continue raiding villages in northwest and central Nigeria.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info Law enforcement officers during a visit to Ogun State, Nigeria [Sodiq Adelakun/Reuters] By AFP and News Agencies Published On 23 Jul 2026 23 Jul 2026 At least 20 people have been killed in northwest Nigeria after armed gang members attacked villages in Zamfara State, according to the AFP news agency.
“Today, between 3pm [14:00 GMT] and 4pm [15:00 GMT], a large number of bandits have invaded our communities, targeting all the people they meet,” Nasiru Lauwali, the representative of the Sauna district in the local government zone of Talata Mafara, told AFP on Wednesday.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in