Nigeria's security crisis deepened this week as armed groups carried out deadly attacks across multiple regions, leaving dozens dead or abducted and highlighting the government's struggle to contain escalating violence.

Massacre in Zamfara Mining Village

In the latest bloodshed, gunmen killed at least 20 people in a brutal assault on the gold mining village of Gobirawa Chali in Zamfara state, northwestern Nigeria. Witnesses reported that hundreds of attackers opened fire on miners on Thursday, leading to a fierce gunfight. Residents recovered 21 bodies, with many more injured.

Amnesty International confirmed the massacre, stating that the assailants went house-to-house during the attack. While no motive was immediately confirmed, Zamfara has long been a hotspot for kidnappings and banditry, with armed gangs operating from remote forests and frequently targeting civilians and security forces.

The Nigerian military, already stretched thin by insurgencies in the northeast, farmer-herder clashes in Northcentral states, and separatist unrest in the southeast, has failed to secure vast rural areas, leaving communities vulnerable to relentless violence.

Pirates Abduct 20 Passengers in Akwa Ibom-Cross River Waterways

In the south-south region, gunmen suspected to be pirates kidnapped 20 passengers traveling by boat from Oron in Akwa Ibom to Cross River on April 18. The victims were aboard a vessel owned by Akwa Cross Boat Management Ltd., a private transport company.

Police responses were conflicting, with Akwa Ibom authorities claiming the abduction occurred in Cross River, while Cross River police denied the incident outright. The lack of coordination underscores the challenges in tackling maritime crime.

Piracy along the Oron-Calabar route has disrupted trade and travel, with fishermen and traders repeatedly targeted. A 2023 report revealed how pirates have crippled livelihoods, with boat owners losing millions to attacks. Akwa Ibom’s governor has appealed for military reinforcement, but kidnappings persist.

15 Passengers Kidnapped in Benue Road Ambush

Meanwhile, in Benue state, gunmen abducted 15 passengers along the Adoka-Naka road on Thursday. Two commercial vehicles were ambushed, with victims taken into the bush. Local officials confirmed the attack occurred just three kilometers from Naka town, yet police claimed they had not been briefed.

Benue has suffered a surge in violence, with over 200 killed in recent weeks. Governor Hyacinth Alia blamed "foreign elements" for the attacks, warning that the threat surpasses the traditional farmer-herder clashes. Homes have been burned, and survivors remain traumatized as federal forces struggle to restore order.

A Nation Under Siege

These incidents underscore Nigeria’s spiraling insecurity, with armed groups exploiting weak governance and under-resourced security forces. From banditry in the northwest to piracy in the south and kidnappings in the central region, civilians face mounting dangers.

Despite pledges from National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to address the crisis, the government’s efforts remain inadequate. As violence spreads, Nigerians are left questioning whether authorities can regain control before the situation deteriorates further.

—Reports from Reuters, PREMIUM TIMES, and Channels Television