No fewer than 17 farmers have been killed and several others injured in an attack by suspected bandits on Goran Namaye village in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

An indigene of the community, Ibrahim Mohammed, told The PUNCH that the attack occurred on Friday while the farmers were working on their farmlands.

He said the armed men had earlier issued a warning to residents, threatening to attack anyone who went to the farm during the planting season.

According to him, despite the warning, some farmers proceeded to their farmlands where they were attacked.

“Suddenly, the bandits who were in large numbers invaded the farmlands and started to shoot at the farmers.

“They were able to kill 17 farmers, while several others sustained various degrees of injuries,” he said.

Mohammed said 17 farmers were killed on the spot, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

He added that the victims were later given a mass burial, while the injured were taken to a hospital in Talata-Mafara for treatment.

A member of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Maharazu Salisu, speaking with PUNCH Online, condemned the attack and called on the Federal and state governments to take urgent steps to address the worsening insecurity in the area.

He warned that continued attacks could discourage farming activities, noting that residents were already living in fear due to the presence of armed groups across several communities.

He also cited cases of abductions in nearby areas, alleging that some residents remained in captivity following failed attempts at reconciliation with bandits.

He said, “Both the state and the Federal government should do something urgently to stop these killings, otherwise, our people will be prevented from farming this year”.

“These bandits are everywhere in the local government and are bent on making sure that farming activities are stopped.

“They are not demanding ransom from farmers when they kidnap them, as their mission is just to stop farming activities.”

Salisu urged security agencies to intensify efforts to restore safety and ensure farmers can return to their farmlands without fear of attack.

The lawmaker said the situation, if not urgently addressed, could worsen food insecurity in the state and across the region. (PUNCH)