Twenty-three women have been abducted by armed bandits in Moriki town, Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, while out in the bush collecting firewood.
The incident, which occurred on Friday, August 2, around 1:30 p.m., was confirmed by security sources to Zagazola Makama and independently verified by Ondopress on Sunday.
According to the sources, the victims—all residents of Moriki—were ambushed on the outskirts of the town and taken to an undisclosed location by the gunmen.
Upon receiving intelligence of the abduction, troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, in collaboration with local vigilantes and other security operatives, launched a search-and-rescue operation to track down the kidnappers and recover the victims.
“All necessary measures are being taken to secure the safe return of the abducted women and to bring the perpetrators to justice,” one of the sources told LeadNaija on condition of anonymity.
The abduction adds to a worrying pattern of insecurity in Zamfara State, where rural communities remain vulnerable to attacks from armed gangs, often referred to as bandits.
As of the time of this report, no group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, and the condition of the abducted women remains unknown.
Local authorities have yet to issue an official statement, but residents of Moriki are said to be in a state of fear and anxiety.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
