Blood on the Farmlands: 17 Farmers Killed in Fresh Zamfara Attack

No fewer than 17 farmers have been killed and several others injured following an attack by suspected bandits on Goran Namaye village in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

An indigene of the community, Ibrahim Mohammed, told The PUNCH that the attack occurred on Friday while the victims were working on their farmlands.
According to him, the armed men had earlier warned residents against going to their farms during the planting season, threatening to attack anyone who defied the order.
Despite the warning, some farmers proceeded to their farmlands, where they were later ambushed.
“Suddenly, the bandits who were in large numbers invaded the farmlands and started to shoot at the farmers.
“They were able to kill 17 farmers, while several others sustained various degrees of injuries,” Mohammed said.
He added that the victims were buried in a mass burial, while those injured were taken to a hospital in Talata-Mafara for medical treatment.
A member of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Maharazu Salisu, condemned the attack while speaking with PUNCH Online. He called on both the Federal and Zamfara State governments to urgently address the worsening insecurity in the area.
Salisu warned that the continued attacks could discourage farming activities, noting that many residents already live in fear because of the presence of armed groups in several communities.
He also referenced cases of abductions in nearby areas, alleging that some residents remain in captivity after reconciliation efforts with bandits failed.
“Both the state and the Federal government should do something urgently to stop these killings, otherwise, our people will be prevented from farming this year.
“These bandits are everywhere in the local government and are bent on making sure that farming activities are stopped.
“They are not demanding ransom from farmers when they kidnap them, as their mission is just to stop farming activities,” he said.
The lawmaker urged security agencies to intensify efforts to restore safety and ensure that farmers can return to their farmlands without fear.
He further warned that if the situation is not urgently addressed, it could worsen food insecurity in Zamfara State and the wider region. (PUNCH).