Zamfara Massacre: Northern Coalition Demands Full-Scale Offensive After 23 Farmers Killed

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has condemned the killing of 23 farmers by suspected armed bandits in Sauna District of Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State, calling on the Federal Government to launch a decisive military offensive to end the persistent attacks on rural communities.

The coalition described the massacre as a stark reminder of the deteriorating security situation across parts of Northern Nigeria, warning that continued assaults on farming communities could threaten the nation’s food security and deepen economic hardship.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the National Coordinator of the CNG, Comrade Jamilu Charanchi, expressed sympathy to the bereaved families, the people of Sauna District and the Zamfara State Government over what he described as the “unacceptable loss of innocent lives.”

According to the group, the victims were attacked while working on their farms, underscoring what it called the growing boldness of armed bandits operating across the region.

Charanchi said the attack was particularly tragic because the victims were peaceful farmers striving to support their families and contribute to Nigeria’s agricultural production.

He noted that the killings occurred at a critical stage of the farming season, warning that continued insecurity could discourage cultivation, reduce agricultural output, worsen food shortages, drive up food prices and force more rural residents to abandon their communities.

“The protection of lives and property remains the foremost constitutional responsibility of government. Every farmer killed is not just a human tragedy but also a direct attack on the economy, food security and national stability,” he said.

The coalition urged President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies to intensify coordinated military and intelligence operations across Zamfara and other states battling banditry.

It also called on the Zamfara State Government to strengthen collaboration with federal security agencies, traditional rulers and local communities to improve intelligence gathering, surveillance and rapid response to security threats.

The CNG further advocated a sustained deployment of security personnel to vulnerable farming communities, major agricultural corridors and rural access roads throughout the farming season to enable farmers to work without fear of attack.

In addition, the coalition appealed to the government to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to the affected families and ensure that survivors receive adequate medical, psychological and economic support.

It also demanded the swift arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the killings, stressing that ending impunity would serve as a strong deterrent against future attacks.

Charanchi maintained that routine condemnations and expressions of sympathy were no longer sufficient, insisting that only sustained, intelligence-driven security operations and decisive action against criminal groups would restore confidence in rural communities and guarantee the safety of farmers across Northern Nigeria.