By Stephen Simon
Gunmen have killed a local security volunteer and 10 members of his family in a fresh attack on a community in Zamfara State, while abducting 13 other residents.
The attack, which occurred over the weekend, was confirmed by the police on Monday, amid growing concerns over renewed violence in the North-west.
According to a Reuters report, the assailants invaded a village in Zamfara, killed the security volunteer and his relatives, burnt their bodies and set their family home ablaze.
The attack is among the latest incidents highlighting the continuing security challenges confronting communities in the state, where armed groups have repeatedly targeted residents, travellers and local security personnel.
The police confirmed the casualty figures, although further details about the identities of the victims, the circumstances surrounding the attack and the abducted residents were not immediately available.
Earlier reports from local sources had given differing casualty figures, underscoring the difficulty of establishing the full extent of the incident.
The latest violence comes against the backdrop of persistent attacks in Zamfara and neighbouring states, despite repeated security operations aimed at dismantling armed groups operating across the region.
The killing of a local security volunteer and members of his family is particularly significant, given the growing reliance on community-based security groups in areas where residents remain exposed to armed attacks.
The incident is expected to renew calls for stronger security measures, improved intelligence gathering and more effective protection of vulnerable communities.
