Armed Groups Culik 60 People, The Majority Of Women During The Maulid Commemoration

Illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/Tony total)

JAKARTA - Dozens of people were kidnapped by armed groups, the majority of women who were participating in the celebration of the Prophet Muhammad's birthday after previously firing.

Nigerian armed groups are back in action, kidnapping at least 60 people in a remote community, Zamfara State, residents said Thursday, in the latest wave of kidnappings that hit the state.

Two residents said the gunman on a motorbike arrived at the Magami Tandu community, in the Kaura Namoda local government area on Wednesday night and fired sporadically.

They took most of the women celebrating the Prophet Muhammad SAW's Birthday, which was held between late September and late November in the mostly Muslim state of Nigeria in the north, residents said.

"Every day there is a murder or kidnapping that makes us lose our place of residence. Please (Tell) the government to act and give us justice," said Abdulkarim Haruna, whose wife was kidnapped.

Earlier, residents said 19 people were killed on Tuesday, when gunmen attacked Ryuji's community in the Zurmi Zamfara area, which is adjacent to Kaura Namoda.

Police spokesman Zamfara Mohammed Shehu could not be reached for comment.

It is known that armed gangs are widespread in the northwest of the country, where they robbed or kidnapped for ransom, with violence having increased as security forces often fail to stop attacks.

This raises concerns whether residents in the region will be able to vote in the February presidential election, to elect a replacement for President Muhammadu Buhari, who is constitutionally prohibited from running for office again.