Armed bandits launched a deadly attack on farmers across multiple communities in the Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State on Wednesday morning, resulting in several fatalities and injuries.
According to security expert Bakatsine, who issued an alert via his X handle, the attacks targeted farmers from Zonai, Sabon Gida, Dan Dabi, and Magami communities.
"ALERT: This morning, bandits have attacked farmers from Zonai, Sabon Gida, Dan Dabi and Magami in Gusau LGA, Zamfara State. Many were killed while working on their farms, others badly injured," Bakatsine reported.
While the exact death toll has not yet been officially confirmed by authorities, the incident marks another tragic chapter in the region's ongoing security crisis.
Rising Tensions and Extortion Demands
The attack comes amid escalating tensions in the area following recent extortion demands from notorious bandit kingpin Bello Turji, who reportedly demanded ₦50 million from local farmers in certain communities across Zamfara and Niger states as a condition to allow them to commence the 2025 farming season peacefully.
This latest violence highlights the precarious situation facing agricultural communities in Zamfara, where armed banditry has plagued rural areas for years. Local farmers now face the impossible choice between risking their lives to cultivate their lands or abandoning their livelihoods altogether.
Zamfara State has long battled insecurity attributed to armed bandits, with rural communities bearing the brunt of violence, abductions, and extortion schemes that have devastated the local economy and food security in the region.
The attack occurred on June 12, a significant date in Nigeria's democratic history, when security forces were reportedly deployed in other parts of the country to monitor planned demonstrations.
BenriNews will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available from official sources.
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