A late Saturday raid near Maradun left 12 members of one family dead and seven residents abducted, according to an AFP report citing a local official and two residents.
Sanusi Ahmad, political administrator of Maradun district, told AFP that Malam Sani and 11 relatives locked themselves in a room as armed men raided the village late Saturday. Ahmad said the men failed to enter, then ignited the room from outside. He said all 12 people trapped inside died after the room was set on fire. Ahmad attended their funeral Sunday.
Bello Muhammad, a village resident, said those taken included six women and a boy aged 10. AFP reported that attackers on motorcycles shot indiscriminately during the raid. Most residents fled.
AFP said armed groups operating in Zamfara and other states across northwestern and central Nigeria are commonly called bandits and engage in kidnapping for ransom and cattle theft. The agency said insecurity and economic pressures, including high inflation and living costs, are prominent campaign issues ahead of Nigeria’s presidential election in January.
