At least 23 farmers have been killed by suspected bandits in an attack on farmlands in Sauna District, Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Sources from the area told Vanguard on Thursday that the death toll rose from an initial 16 after seven additional bodies were recovered from nearby bushes.

Residents said the victims were attacked while working on their farms on Thursday morning, with the assailants reportedly arriving on motorcycles and opening fire on farmers in the area.

“Many others are still reported missing. The attackers came in groups and shot at farmers without warning,” a community source said.

The remains of the 23 victims were later buried in a mass burial at the palace of the District Head of Sauna on Thursday, July 23, 2026.

Sauna District and other parts of Talata Mafara Local Government Area have witnessed repeated attacks on farming communities, with residents frequently targeted while carrying out agricultural activities.

Community leaders have called for increased security presence in rural areas to protect farmers during farming seasons.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Zamfara State Police Command, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said the Divisional Police Officer in Talata Mafara had reported the killing of 23 farmers in Sauna District.

Yazid said the command had deployed additional personnel to the area and was working to track down the attackers. (Vanguard)

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