At least 38 killed in northwest Nigerian village in armed attack

Saturday 21 February 2026 - 16:00

By: Sahili Aya

At least 38 killed in northwest Nigerian village in armed attack

At least 38 people were killed Thursday night in the village of Dutse Dan Ajiya in northwestern Nigeria, local police and officials reported on Saturday. The attack was carried out by armed men, including jihadists and locally organized “bandit” groups who frequently terrorize Zamfara and neighboring states with kidnappings, raids, killings, and arson.

“The village is located on the outskirts and has very few access roads. Calm has returned for now, and patrols continue,” said Yazid Abubakar, spokesman for Zamfara police. Local official Hamisu Faru estimated up to 50 deaths, noting that attackers “fired indiscriminately, killing residents who tried to flee.” He added that the army and a fighter jet were mobilized but did not engage the bandits, who were moving on motorcycles.

These armed groups maintain camps across forests spanning Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Niger, from which they launch attacks on villages. Despite years of Nigerian army deployment and efforts at reconciliation through amnesties and financial compensation, violence persists.

The recent surge in attacks has drawn U.S. attention, leading to surprise airstrikes on Christmas Day in neighboring Sokoto state targeting jihadist groups. Since 2009, the jihadist insurgency led by Boko Haram and its rival faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), has killed over 40,000 people and displaced two million in northeastern Nigeria, according to the United Nations.