By Micah Jonah, February 21, 2026
At least 50 people have been killed following an overnight attack by armed men on Tungan Dutse village in Zamfara State, according to local authorities and residents.
The assault reportedly began late Thursday and continued into Friday morning in the Bukkuyum area, as gunmen riding motorcycles stormed the community, set houses ablaze and abducted several women and children.
A lawmaker representing Bukkuyum South, Hamisu A. Faru, confirmed the casualty figure, stating that the number of abducted residents was still being determined as officials compile a list of the missing. He described the attack as part of a wave of violence spreading across rural communities in the state.
Residents said there were warning signs before the assault. Abdullahi Sani, a local resident, said villagers had alerted security agencies after sighting a large convoy of motorcycles carrying armed men a day earlier, but no preventive action was taken. He disclosed that three members of his family lost their lives in the attack.
Northwestern Nigeria has continued to face persistent insecurity linked to armed criminal groups operating in remote areas. Communities in parts of Niger State have also recorded deadly raids in recent weeks, raising concerns about the capacity of security forces to contain the violence.
The renewed bloodshed comes amid expanded security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States. Nigerian military authorities recently confirmed the deployment of American personnel to provide technical support and intelligence sharing to local forces. Officials stressed that the foreign troops would not participate directly in combat operations.
Security analysts say lasting solutions will require improved intelligence gathering, stronger local policing structures and sustained government presence in vulnerable rural communities. Meanwhile, affected residents are calling for urgent intervention to prevent further attacks and restore safety to their villages.
