Nigeria: Gunmen kill 11 people in Zamfara state September 12

Event

Unidentified gunmen killed at least 11 people and wounded over 20 others in an attack on a cinema in Badarawa (Zamfara state) on the night (local time) of Wednesday, September 12. The motive for the attack remained unclear as of Thursday, September 13. Similar attacks are possible in Zamfara state in the near-term.

Context

Amnesty International has claimed that almost 400 people have been killed in Zamfara since the beginning of 2018 as the number of incidents of murder, robbery, and kidnapping for ransom has risen in the state.

On July 29, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the deployment of 1000 additional security personnel to combat bandits operating in Zamfara state. The force is a mix of army, air force, and police troops who are tasked with supporting the local police force. Fighter aircraft have reportedly been deployed to the airport in Katsina to provide air support. President Buhari has also authorized the use of satellite surveillance.

Advice

Individuals in Zamfara state are advised to monitor developments to the situation, report all suspicious objects and behavior to the police, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.

In general, the security environment in Nigeria is complex and is particularly challenging in the northeast and extreme south of the country due to the presence of armed groups, high crime rates, and the risk of kidnapping. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel to such areas.