At least 40 people have been kidnapped this week in the northern Nigerian state of Zamfara by a group of «bandits,» the term used by the Nigerian government to describe the dangerous armed kidnapping and extortion groups that have been plaguing much of the country for years.
The incident occurred Thursday night in the town of Kanwa, where these «bandits» abducted at least 44 residents, including 39 women and five children. Five of the women managed to escape from their captors shortly thereafter.
Local sources in Zurmi municipality have confirmed to ‘Premium Times’ that «the bandits went straight to the town square and started gathering people».
The «bandits» have not yet contacted the families of the abductees for ransom.
In the summer, the state government went so far as to ask the population to start arming itself in the face of increased insecurity caused by these groups, declared as terrorist organizations by the Nigerian government.
