21 killed in clash between bandits and villagers in Nigeria

April 12, 2026 / 2:45 PM

Sharjah24/WAM: Twenty-one people have been killed in clashes between armed bandits and residents of a village in Zamfara state in northern Nigeria, after villagers reportedly refused to pay money demanded by the attackers.

Zamfara is one of several states in north-west and central Nigeria where criminal gangs, locally known as “bandits”, carry out violent attacks, kidnappings and looting.

Rising insecurity and extremist links

These gangs are increasingly forming ties with extremist groups based in the north-east of the country, which have been waging an armed insurgency for 17 years. This growing connection is raising serious concerns among officials.

According to agencies, more than 100 people, including an army officer, have been killed by extremists and criminal gangs in northern Nigeria since Sunday.

Village raid and gunfire exchange

Dozens of bandits riding around 80 motorcycles stormed the village of Bunkasau in the Bukuyum area on Friday, where an exchange of gunfire took place with local residents, according to villagers.