The African Union (AU) has strongly condemned the killing of more than 50 civilians and the abduction of women and children during coordinated attacks in Zamfara State, Northwestern Nigeria.
In a statement published on its official website on Sunday, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, said he “strongly condemns the heinous and coordinated terrorist attacks perpetrated on February 21, 2026, in Zamfara State, Northwestern Nigeria,” which “resulted in the killing of more than 50 civilians and the abduction of women and children.”
Youssouf’s statement expressed the AU’s firm stance against acts of violence targeting civilians, particularly women and children, emphasizing that such atrocities are “grave violations of human rights and serious threats to peace, security, and stability.”
Highlighting the AU’s solidarity with Nigeria, Youssouf assured that the union “stands in full solidarity with the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” extending “heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families” and wishing a swift recovery to those injured during the attacks.
The AU Chairperson also reaffirmed the union’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts in combating insecurity and restoring lasting peace across affected regions, reiterating that “the African Union remains unwavering in its support for Nigeria’s efforts to address insecurity and restore lasting peace.”
In addition to expressing condolences, Youssouf called for urgent action to safeguard the abducted individuals, urging for the “immediate, safe, and unconditional release of all abducted women and children.”
He stressed the need for enhanced protection of civilian populations and stronger coordination among governments and regional actors, urging “strengthened, coordinated, and collective action to protect civilian populations and prevent the recurrence of such atrocities,” in line with the AU’s broader commitment to peace, security, and stability across the continent.
The attack in Zamfara State, which triggered the AU’s condemnation, occurred late Thursday night in Dutsin Dan Ajiya village, located in Anka Local Government Area. Eyewitness accounts described a terrifying scene as heavily armed bandits stormed the community, blocking all access roads linking the village to prevent escape.
According to one resident, “After blocking all the roads, the bandits started to shoot at sight, and the villagers ran helter-skelter.” The assailants reportedly used sophisticated weapons, creating chaos and panic among villagers, leaving many dead, injured, and missing.
The raid, which lasted until the early hours of Friday, claimed no fewer than 50 lives, according to local reports. Many residents were abducted during the attack, with their whereabouts remaining unknown. One eyewitness recounted, “After the attack, we realised that 30 people were killed; some were wounded, while several others are at large and nobody knows their whereabouts.”
In the aftermath, the corpses of victims were reportedly wrapped in white for a mass burial, illustrating the devastating human toll of the coordinated assault.
The incident is part of a broader wave of insecurity that has plagued Zamfara State and Northwestern Nigeria, where banditry, kidnappings, and attacks on civilian communities have become increasingly frequent.
Analysts note that these attacks often target women, children, and vulnerable populations, compounding the humanitarian crisis in affected areas. Local authorities have faced challenges in preventing such attacks due to the remoteness of affected communities and the mobility of armed groups operating across forested and rural terrain.
Youssouf’s condemnation comes amid growing regional and international concern over violent extremism and organized crime in West Africa. The African Union has emphasized that attacks targeting civilians undermine development, threaten regional stability, and hinder efforts to strengthen governance and security infrastructure.
In his statement, the AU Chairperson reiterated that “all acts of terrorism and violent extremism against civilian populations, particularly women and children,” are completely unacceptable and must be addressed with coordinated responses.
The Zamfara attack also underscores the urgent need for national and regional security mechanisms to prioritize the protection of civilians. By highlighting the AU’s call for immediate action, Youssouf sought to reinforce the principle that the safety of women and children is a non-negotiable priority for governments and regional bodies alike.
His statement reflects the AU’s broader policy approach, which advocates for collective security measures, intelligence sharing, and proactive interventions to prevent attacks on civilian populations.
The African Union further stressed that the international community must remain vigilant against terrorist networks and armed groups operating with impunity.
Youssouf emphasized that coordinated attacks such as the one in Dutsin Dan Ajiya village constitute not only human rights violations but also a serious threat to peace and stability in the region.
“We unequivocally reject all acts of terrorism and violent extremism against civilian populations,” he said, reinforcing the union’s commitment to addressing insecurity in a systematic and sustained manner.
While the attack in Dutsin Dan Ajiya drew immediate attention, it is not an isolated incident in Zamfara State. Reports indicate that the state has been a frequent target of armed bandit groups engaging in kidnappings for ransom, killings, and widespread property destruction.
Security experts note that the prevalence of such attacks has led to significant displacement of civilians, disruption of local economies, and heightened vulnerability for women and children.
In addition to condemning the killings, the African Union underscored the importance of humanitarian support and community recovery efforts.
Youssouf expressed the union’s “full solidarity with the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” emphasizing that assistance must accompany security interventions to mitigate the long-term effects of violence on affected populations.
The AU Chairperson also highlighted the broader regional implications of recurring attacks, noting that insecurity in one country can destabilize neighboring states and hinder collaborative development initiatives.
By advocating for “strengthened, coordinated, and collective action,” Youssouf emphasized the necessity of regional security partnerships, intelligence-sharing frameworks, and joint law enforcement operations to prevent further atrocities.
Eyewitness accounts from Dutsin Dan Ajiya provide chilling insight into the scale and coordination of the attack. According to residents, bandits entered the village with military-like precision, targeting homes and communal spaces while systematically preventing escape.
“After blocking all the roads, the bandits started to shoot at sight, and the villagers ran helter-skelter,” one survivor recounted. Others reported that the bandits abducted numerous women and children, exacerbating the human toll and creating an ongoing crisis for families and local authorities.
The community’s response in the immediate aftermath involved efforts to recover bodies, attend to the wounded, and account for those missing. Corpses were reportedly wrapped in white for a mass burial, underscoring the gravity of the assault and the profound loss experienced by villagers.
Local security personnel and government officials have been tasked with investigating the incident and attempting to trace the abducted individuals.
The AU’s condemnation also serves as a reminder of the international norms and conventions governing the protection of civilians in conflict and crisis zones. By describing the attacks as “heinous and coordinated,” the union reinforces the principle that attacks targeting non-combatants, particularly women and children, are violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.
Further, Youssouf’s appeal for immediate release of abducted civilians underscores the union’s commitment to humanitarian principles alongside security priorities. The Chairperson’s remarks calling for “immediate, safe, and unconditional release of all abducted women and children” highlight the urgency of rescue operations and the need for sustained monitoring and follow-up by Nigerian authorities and regional security actors.
In the broader context, the Zamfara attacks reflect the persistent challenges faced by Northwestern Nigeria in curbing banditry, armed robbery, and extremist violence. Analysts point to porous borders, difficult terrain, and limited security presence in rural areas as factors that enable perpetrators to carry out large-scale attacks with relative impunity.
The AU’s call for collective action aligns with regional strategies to strengthen border security, community policing, and intelligence-led operations.
The AU statement further notes that the protection of civilians, particularly women and children, is integral to sustaining peace, development, and governance across Africa.
Youssouf reiterated that “all acts of terrorism and violent extremism against civilian populations” must be met with decisive measures, stressing the union’s unwavering commitment to supporting Nigeria and other member states in combating threats to security.
Local authorities in Zamfara State continue to assess the full extent of the casualties and abductions, working with federal security agencies to recover abducted individuals and provide aid to affected communities.
Meanwhile, the AU has called on international partners, regional organizations, and governments to reinforce preventive measures, strengthen early warning systems, and collaborate in intelligence gathering to prevent the recurrence of similar attacks.