Amnesty International has condemned the killing of 17 farmers by suspected bandits in Zamfara State, describing the attack as another indication of the worsening security situation in the region.
According to the human rights organisation, the attack occurred on June 12, 2026, when armed bandits invaded farmlands in Goron Namaye, located in Maradun Local Government Area of the state. The assailants reportedly slaughtered 17 farmers and injured at least 13 others during the attack.
Amnesty International said the incident highlights the dangers faced by residents as the rainy season begins and farming activities intensify across the state.
“As the rainy season sets in, farming in Zamfara State is now a matter of life and death,” the organisation stated, urging Nigerian authorities to take stronger measures to halt the persistent attacks by bandits and other armed groups.
The rights group criticised what it described as the government’s slow response to the security crisis, arguing that continued inaction has allowed impunity to thrive and violence to spread to more communities across the country.
According to Amnesty International, many communities now live in constant fear of attacks, with recurring killings and abductions causing widespread suffering and displacement.
The organisation further accused the government of failing in its responsibility to protect citizens, describing the response to the escalating insecurity as inadequate.
