At Least 17 Farmers Killed By Gunmen In Northwestern Nigeria

ABUJA, Nigeria — Gunmen killed astatine slightest 17 farmers and wounded astatine slightest 13 others arsenic they worked their fields successful northwestern Nigeria, a section charismatic and a resident said.

The onslaught occurred Friday successful nan municipality of Goron Namaye successful nan Maradun area of Zamfara state. No group has claimed responsibility, but attacks by equipped gangs person accrued successful caller months.

“The farmers were moving connected their lands erstwhile nan bandits abruptly attacked and killed 17 of them,” Shehu Musa, a resident of Maradun, told nan Associated Press connected Saturday, adding that nan wounded were being treated astatine a hospital.

The onslaught was a consequence of nan refusal of nan Zamfara authorities government to discuss pinch nan gunmen, said Sanusi Dosara, president of nan Maradun section government, successful a statement. Dosara appealed to authorities forces to dismantle nan Bayan-Ruwa enclave successful nan Maradun forest, wherever nan gunmen were hiding.

On Thursday, gunmen abducted 39 group successful Magamin Diddi, a organization successful Maradun, while residents were gathering pinch nan parents of a suspected bandit leader successful an effort to discuss bid and reside kidnappings.

An insurgency successful northeastern Nigeria, coupled pinch ransom kidnappings, has killed thousands of group and displaced millions complete nan years, according to nan United Nations, contempt repeated promises by President Bola Tinubu to curb nan crisis.

Shibayan writes for nan Associated Press.