ZAMFARA – At least 20 people have been confirmed dead following a deadly attack by gunmen on a gold mining site in the Gobirawa Chali community, located in the northwestern part of Nigeria’s Zamfara State.
The assailants, suspected to be armed bandits, launched the attack on Thursday afternoon. They arrived on motorcycles and targeted a local gold mining operation, where they killed at least 14 miners. The gunmen then proceeded to attack several homes and a mosque in the village, leaving many residents in shock.
Sources from the area revealed that 21 bodies had been recovered following the assault, with local authorities confirming that the death toll could rise as more casualties are accounted for. The attackers are believed to be part of a notorious group led by the infamous bandit leader, Dogo Gide, who has been causing havoc in the region for several months.
A local resident who spoke anonymously stated that the attack might have been a reprisal after gunmen were reportedly repelled the previous day, losing seven of their members in an unsuccessful assault. However, the exact motive behind the attack remains unclear.
Zamfara State has been grappling with frequent attacks by armed groups, often in pursuit of lucrative gold deposits, which have become a source of conflict between criminal elements and local communities. The region has become a hotspot for banditry, with weak security forces failing to adequately protect the people.
The attack in Gobirawa Chali is the latest in a series of similar incidents that have left residents living in fear. Many locals now travel with armed escorts, as they face the constant threat of kidnappings, killings, and robbery.
While the federal government has yet to issue an official statement on the attack, residents and stakeholders have continued to call for stronger security measures to curb the escalating violence in the region.
As of now, authorities are investigating the incident and efforts are underway to bring the perpetrators to justice.
