At least 36 people have been killed, and 98 others abducted across 28 communities in November in Zamfara State, according to a security situation report released by the Zamfara Circle Community Initiative.
The report, which covers incidents recorded between 1 and 30 November 2025, also shows that 15 residents were injured, while ₦10 million was paid in ransom to secure the release of 27 kidnapped victims.
The group noted that no bandits were neutralised during the period, despite intensified security operations in parts of the state.
According to the report, the month opened with an attack on Dansadau in Maru Local Government Area on 3 November, where three residents were abducted. On 6 November, bandits launched multiple assaults across Talata Mafara and Bukuyyum LGAs. Seventeen people were kidnapped in Sado, while several others were taken in Morai, where two residents sustained injuries. In Kyaram, Bukuyyum LGA, two residents were killed and seven abducted during another attack.
Violence continued on 7 November when gunmen invaded Tungar Kade in Talata Mafara LGA, abducting seven residents, while another person was kidnapped the same day in Dansadau, Maru LGA. On 13 November, eight people were taken from Sado in Talata Mafara LGA, while four residents were killed in Rafin Gero, Anka LGA.
In Dansadau, two kidnapped residents were later released after their families reportedly paid ₦10 million to secure their freedom.
On 15 November, bandits abducted six residents from Katumbure in Anka LGA and two others from Gasa Hula within the same council. A day later, nine people were taken from Mayanchi in Anka LGA, while an attack in Damri, Bakura LGA, left one person dead and four kidnapped.
The violence persisted on 18 November when one resident was killed in Dan Kaiwa, Bakura LGA. On 19 November, gunmen killed another resident in Fegin Dan Marke, Tsafe LGA, and abducted three others. Security forces recorded a rare success on 21 November when they rescued 25 kidnapped victims in Damba, Gusau LGA.
One of the deadliest incidents of the month unfolded on 23 November across several communities in Tsafe and Maradun LGAs. Attacks on Marke, Tsagero and Gangara in Tsafe LGA left 15 residents dead, three others injured, and six kidnapped. On the same day, four more residents were killed in Gidan Dawa, also in Tsafe LGA, where six people were injured and five abducted. Ten residents were also kidnapped in Matseri, Maradun LGA.
The following day, 24 November, one person was killed in another attack in Tsafe LGA. On 25 November, a police officer was shot dead in Adapka, Bukuyyum LGA. The violence escalated again on 26 November when a community protection guard was killed in Kwaren Ganuwa, Tsafe LGA. In Bakyasuwa, Maradun LGA, one resident was killed, three others were injured, and 10 were kidnapped during a separate attack.
On 27 November, security forces repelled a bandit assault on Bulunku in Gusau LGA. Two days later, on 29 November, two community protection guards were killed and one was injured in another attack on Dansadau in Maru LGA.
The group urged the federal and state governments to strengthen coordinated operations, support community-based security structures, and address the humanitarian crisis affecting thousands of displaced residents.
