At least 20 people were killed on Wednesday, July 23rd, 2026, in northwest Nigeria after armed gang members attacked villages in Zamfara State. Nasiru Lauwali, representative of the Sauna district in the Talata Mafara local government zone, told AFP that between 3pm and 4pm local time, a large number of bandits invaded communities, targeting all individuals they encountered.

Late on Tuesday, July 22nd, security forces killed at least three suspected bandits in Kwara State, according to Nigeria’s The Punch news website. The security forces also managed to rescue a businessman named Tuhkur Sanni.

These attacks are part of a broader surge in violence as armed gangs continue raiding villages across northwest and central Nigeria. In 2024, attackers reportedly earned more than $1.6 million in ransom payments, according to SBM Intelligence.

Earlier this month, dozens of students and teachers were rescued 56 days after being kidnapped from three schools in the southwestern state of Oyo.

Sources