AU Condemns Zamfara Killings, Demands Immediate Release Of Abducted Women, Children

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

The African Union has strongly condemned the coordinated terrorist attacks in Zamfara State that killed more than 50 civilians and led to the abduction of women and children.

In a statement issued on Sunday and published on the AU’s official website, Chairperson of the African Union Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf described the Saturday attacks in Dutsin Dan Ajiya village, Anka Local Government Area, as heinous acts of terrorism and violent extremism targeting civilian populations, particularly women and children.

Youssouf expressed the African Union’s unequivocal rejection of such grave violations of human rights and serious threats to peace, security, and stability across the continent.

He conveyed full solidarity with the Government and people of Nigeria, offered heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, and wished swift recovery to those injured in the attacks.

The Chairperson reaffirmed the AU’s unwavering support for Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to address insecurity and restore lasting peace in affected regions.

The statement called for the immediate, safe, and unconditional release of all abducted women and children.

Youssouf urged strengthened, coordinated, and collective action to protect civilian populations and prevent the recurrence of similar atrocities. Reports from the area indicate that bandits armed with sophisticated weapons blocked access roads to the village on Thursday night, opened fire on residents, and carried out the raid until early Friday morning, leaving dozens dead, several wounded, and many others missing or abducted. Corpses of the victims were wrapped in white cloth for a mass burial, according to footage circula

ted on Saturday.