African Union Condemns Deadly Attack in Zamfara, Nigeria

The African Union condemned the deadly attack in Zamfara State, Nigeria, on 21 February 2026, which killed over 50 civilians and involved the abduction of women and children. The AU called for their immediate release and urged coordinated action to protect civilians. The attack highlights ongoing security challenges in northwest Nigeria, including banditry and village raids, and underscores the need for stronger measures to safeguard vulnerable communities.

The African Union (AU) has issued a strong condemnation of the recent deadly attack in Zamfara State, located in Nigeria’s northwest, describing the assault as a “heinous act of terrorism” and calling for urgent, coordinated measures to protect civilian populations. According to the AU, the attacks that occurred on 21 February 2026 resulted in the deaths of more than 50 civilians and involved the abduction of several women and children. The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, issued a statement denouncing the violence and emphasizing the need for immediate and safe release of all abducted persons. He further urged authorities to implement strengthened, collective action to prevent such atrocities from recurring.
Local reports indicate that armed assailants stormed Tungan Dutse village in Bukkuyum Local Government Area on Thursday evening, attacking residents from approximately 5 p.m. until the early hours of Friday. During the raid, the attackers opened fire on villagers attempting to flee and set homes ablaze, leaving significant destruction in their wake. Hamisu A. Faru, the lawmaker representing Bukkuyum South, confirmed to Reuters that at least 50 people lost their lives in the assault.
The AU highlighted that it “unequivocally rejects all acts of terrorism and violent extremism against civilian populations, particularly women and children.” It stressed that the killings and abductions constitute serious violations of human rights and represent a direct attack on regional peace and stability. Youssouf expressed the Union’s full solidarity with the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, offering condolences to bereaved families and wishing speedy recovery to those injured during the attacks.
The incident in Zamfara underscores the persistent security challenges faced by northwest Nigeria, a region that has long been plagued by armed banditry, mass kidnappings for ransom, and raids on villages. Other parts of Nigeria are similarly affected by insurgency in the northeast, separatist tensions in the southeast, and communal clashes in central regions. Despite ongoing military operations and government pledges to restore order, rural communities in states such as Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina remain vulnerable to heavily armed groups.
Lawmakers and civil society groups have repeatedly called for improved intelligence gathering and stronger protection measures for remote communities. The AU’s condemnation situates the Zamfara attacks within the broader continental concern over violent extremism and insecurity in parts of Africa. The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to restore lasting peace and to strengthen mechanisms that safeguard civilian populations from such attacks in the future.