Nigerian authorities report that 38 people were killed and others kidnapped during an armed assault in Zamfara state last Thursday. Police say they received advance warning but couldn't reach the remote community in time due to poor road access.
Nigerian law enforcement officials report that 38 individuals lost their lives while numerous others were taken captive during a violent assault last Thursday in the country’s northwestern Zamfara state.
State police spokesperson Yazid Abubakar revealed to The Associated Press that authorities had received advance warning about the impending assault, but poor transportation infrastructure prevented officers from arriving at the location before the violence occurred.
“By the time we have our way, the assailants have invaded the community and killed 38 while also abducting many residents,” Abubakar stated on Monday.
According to Abubakar, officials in the West African country are currently working to create a comprehensive record of the women and children who were taken during the raid.
The violence occurred in Tungan Duste, located within the Anka local government district of Zamfara state, marking another incident in a series of civilian attacks plaguing Nigeria’s northern territories where such violence occurs regularly. A separate incident in neighboring Kebbi resulted in 33 deaths during coordinated strikes the same week.
On Sunday, the African Union, representing 55 continental member nations, issued a condemnation of the assault and demanded the immediate freedom of all captured women and children.
“The African Union unequivocally rejects all acts of terrorism and violent extremism against civilian populations, particularly women and children, as grave violations of human rights and serious threats to peace, security, and stability,” the organization said in a statement.
Nigeria continues to confront a multifaceted security emergency involving various militant organizations. American military personnel have been deployed to the West African country to provide strategic guidance to Nigerian forces in their efforts to combat widespread insecurity.