March 15, 2026 — Nigeria Security News
Armed bandits have abducted five foreign nationals from Burkina Faso who were working at a gold mining site near Arafa Village in Zamfara State.
The attack reportedly occurred around 11:15 a.m. on March 14, when a large group of gunmen stormed the mining site located between Arafa Village and Gidan Dankande Village, seizing the workers and taking them to an unknown destination.
Security analyst and counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama reported that the attackers escaped into nearby forests before security forces arrived.
Troops deployed from the Operation Fansan Yamma base in the area later moved into the region to begin search operations.
Security sources say efforts are ongoing to track the kidnappers and rescue the abducted workers, with personnel combing surrounding communities and forests for intelligence.
The incident highlights the growing connection between illegal mining activities and armed bandit groups in North West Nigeria.
According to local reports, many bandit leaders allegedly collect weekly royalties from miners, which has helped them maintain control over mineral-rich areas containing gold, copper, and lithium.
Analysts warn that these payments often serve as a major funding source for criminal networks, enabling the purchase of weapons, financing kidnappings, and recruiting additional fighters.
Authorities say operations are continuing to locate the abducted miners and dismantle the criminal networks operating around mining sites in Zamfara State.
— SUNTV Global Channel Reporting 🇳🇬📰
