It has been reported that about nine farmers have been killed while others were said to have been missing as bandits unleashed attack on farmlands in Gidan Danjumma community, in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Speaking with newsmen on telephone interview, a resident of the community who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said that the gunmen had earlier warned villagers against cultivating their farmlands during the 2026 wet farming season.

According to the source, the farmers didn’t take the warning from the bandits seriously, but went to their farmlands to continue their farming activities which made the bandits come in their numbers and attacked the farmers, of which nine of them were eliminated.

Speaking further, he stated that nine farmers were killed instantly, while many others ran into forests for the safety of the lives.

“It is suspected that the death toll may rise because some of those who escaped the attack sustained various degrees of gunshot injuries, others are still missing after running away into the forests,” the source added.

According to him, the bandits pursued the fleeing farmers on motorcycles, while they continued shooting sporadically.

“As at the time I am talking to you, only nine people have been confirmed dead. It is not clear the fate of many others who flee into the forest because the bandits pursued them while shooting sporadically”

The source also said that the gunmen continued to issue warnings against farming, threatening severe consequences for anyone who refused to obey their warnings.

It was gathered that security personnel, like the troops of the Nigerian Army, officers of the Nigeria Police Force, personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and members of the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards (CPG), have reportedly been deployed to the affected community to restore peace and to secure the axis.

Authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report. (The Guardian)