Armed attack on farmers in Nigeria's Zamfara state

On Friday, an armed group on motorcycles attacked farmers in the Goran Namaye community of the Maradun region in Nigeria's Zamfara state. Local official Sanusi Dosara and community leader Abubakar Jara confirmed that 17 people were killed and five others were injured, three of whom are in serious condition. The victims were targeted while working in their fields. This region has been experiencing ongoing instability caused by armed gangs and extremist groups who often demand extortion payments from farmers. In a separate incident last Sunday, 39 elders from the same region were abducted while attempting to negotiate a peace deal with a gang to allow for agricultural activity. The International Monetary Fund recently warned that such gang activities threaten Nigeria's tax revenue, exports, and food security. Authorities are currently investigating the incident.