Kidnapping endemic in Nigeria: Gunmen abduct over 100 during raids on three villages

Gunmen raided three villages in northwest Nigeria on Friday (May 10) night, kidnapping more than 100 people, the news agency Reuters reported on Saturdaycitinga district official and residents.Alhaji Bala, head of a district in the Birnin-Magaji local government area of Zamfara, told Reuters that gunmen attacked the villages ofGora, Madomawa, and Jambuzu.

Bala added that38 men and 67 women and children were missing."But the number of people abducted could be more than that," headded. Reuters reported thatZamfara has been a hotspot for kidnapping gangs who carry out attacks and retreat into forests where they have set up camps.

Gunmen arrived on bikes, shotsporadically

Madomawa village head AminuAliyu Asha said on Saturday that gunmen arrived in his village on motorbikes and shot sporadically before kidnapping several people.

"The abduction breaches the peace agreement between us and bandits. In February this year, we made several ransom payments in order to stop them from attacking our territory," Asha added.

A resident from Madomawasaid thathis two brothers were among those abducted, whileanotherresident,said that among the abducted were 15 passengers in a lorry that was passing throughGora, Madomawa, and Jambuzu.

Kidnapping has become endemic in northwestregion

Kidnapping incidents have become endemic in Nigeria's northwest region, as gangs are abductingpeople from villages, highways, andschools,and demanding ransom money from their relatives.

Mass kidnappings were first carried out by Boko Harambutnowthe practicehas been adopted by armed gangs with no known ideological affiliation and has grown as Nigerians grapple with economic hardship.

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Friday's kidnappings came a day after at least nine students were kidnapped from their classrooms by gunmen at theConfluence University of Science and Technology in the state ofKogi.

Kingsley Femi Fanwo, Kogi's information commissioner, said the students were studying when gunmen attacked the university on Thursday night.

(With inputs from agencies)