No fewer than 26 persons have been abducted by bandits during coordinated attacks on two communities in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

State and local government authorities confirmed the attacks, further deepening security concerns in the North-West region.

Chairman of the Talata Mafara Council, Yahaya Abubakar told BBC that the gunmen carried out two separate attacks.

According to him, the first attack took place in Matuna village, where the assailants abducted three persons and killed one resident.

“They later returned and attacked Tashar Kuturu village, where they abducted 23 people and shot one resident in the hand and leg. The victim has been taken to a hospital in Jangebe for treatment,” he said.

Residents said the attack on Tashar Kuturu occurred late at night, with the gunmen firing sporadically to instil fear. The attackers reportedly operated for about two hours without resistance.

Abubakar said the bandits arrived on motorcycles, heavily armed, and mounted a tripod-mounted gun in the middle of the road, which they fired repeatedly to intimidate residents and force compliance.

“They abducted men, women and children, some were taken on foot, others on motorcycles,” he added.

Talata Mafara is one of the worst-hit councils in Zamfara State.