Gunmen Kill 11 in Zamfara gunmen attack, Abduct 13 in Family Attack

ZAMFARA, Nigeria, The Zamfara gunmen attack left 11 people dead and 13 others abducted after armed men raided a village in northwestern Nigeria, according to a Reuters report published on November 9, 2026. Police said the victims included a local security volunteer and 10 members of his family. The attackers reportedly burned the victims’ bodies and set their home on fire.

The attack occurred over the weekend in Gidan Taba, in Maradun district of Zamfara State. Police spokesperson Yazid Abubakar said the volunteer had repeatedly helped security forces resist incursions by armed criminal groups operating in the area.

According to Abubakar, the attackers viewed the volunteer as an obstacle to their activities before killing him and his relatives.

Security Forces Move to Secure Abducted Victims

Police said security forces had been deployed to the area and were working to secure the release of the 13 abducted people. Authorities have not publicly established the full circumstances surrounding the abductions in the Reuters report.

The attack underscores the continuing threat posed by armed groups commonly described as bandits in northwestern Nigeria. These groups have carried out village raids, killings, kidnappings for ransom and property destruction across the region.

Zamfara Communities Face Continued Insecurity

Zamfara and neighbouring northwestern states have relied in some communities on local vigilantes and security volunteers to help defend residents. Their involvement has also exposed some volunteers and their families to retaliation from armed groups.

The latest attack adds to concerns about civilian safety and the protection of rural communities. Police have said security operations are underway, but the available Reuters report did not provide further details about arrests or the identity of the attackers.

Reports Differ on the Death Toll

Local Nigerian media reports have given a different account of the casualties. Premium Times reported that Maradun’s council chairman put the death toll at 12 family members, while noting that published reports differed over the number killed and the circumstances of the attack. The number of abducted residents was also unclear in some local accounts. The figures should therefore be treated as differing reports rather than a fully reconciled official toll.

The writer of this article does not claim to know the individuals named personally. The information about their backgrounds, as published on Global News Arena, is based on independent online research.

Are you interested in learning how to write professionally and earning money as a writer and content creator? Contact Auxi Chat today to start your writing journey immediately.

If you have an article, opinion piece, event or news story you would like published, Global News Arena would love to hear from you.

Advertise With Us.