At least 30 people have been killed and several others abducted following a violent bandit attack on Dutsin Dan Ajiya village in the Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State, residents and local sources report. The assault has intensified fears over insecurity in the north-west region, where armed groups frequently target rural communities.

The attack unfolded late Thursday night into the early hours of Friday when a group of gunmen on motorcycles surrounded the village blocked its main access routes and began shooting indiscriminately at residents who tried to escape, eyewitnesses said. Many homes were targeted and scores of villagers were taken captive before the assailants withdrew into nearby forests.

A resident who narrowly escaped described widespread panic as gunfire echoed through the community. “They blocked all the roads then started shooting at sight,” he said adding that villagers ran for cover while others were shot or abducted during the chaos. Officials and survivors say many villagers remain missing, with families still searching for loved ones.

The assault comes amid ongoing efforts by authorities to strengthen security in the state following recent initiatives including the introduction of armoured vehicles and surveillance drones aimed at combating banditry. Despite these measures, remote villages remain vulnerable to attacks by heavily armed groups that often operate with impunity.

Local leaders and community groups have condemned the attack calling for urgent reinforcement of troops and improved coordination with vigilante groups to protect civilians. The state government has yet to issue a full official toll or comment on the incident but is expected to deploy security forces to the area to secure the community and begin search operations for abducted residents.