Armed men kidnap 52 in Nigeria after attacking military base; 2 dead reported

Dozens of people, including children, were abducted by armed men in Nigeria's Zamfara state over the weekend. The attackers raided the village of Kasuwar Daji on Saturday night, first targeting a nearby military base. They seized rifles and set a patrol vehicle on fire before turning their attention to the village.

Local residents reported that the initial number of abductions was over 100, but some were later released, leaving 52 hostages. "The armed men went from house to house, kidnapping many people," said one resident, Ahmad Usman, whose family members were among those taken. Another resident, Shehu Abullahi, confirmed his 12-year-old daughter was among the hostages.

The military stated that troops "successfully" repelled the attack on the base. However, the assailants killed a soldier and a police officer and abducted an unspecified number of villagers. The army spokesperson attributed the attack to "terrorists," a term Nigerian authorities use for various armed groups.

Kidnappings for ransom have become a lucrative enterprise for armed factions in Nigeria. These include jihadist groups in the northeast and criminal gangs, known as "bandits," who are active in the northwest and central regions. These "bandits" are known for imposing "taxes" on farmers, stealing livestock, raiding villages, and engaging in illegal mining.