According to the United Nations report, this action was taken after the increase in kidnapping and violent activities in Zamfara state in the last one month.
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According to a United Nations report, more than 100 members of criminal groups were killed in air and ground operations by the Nigerian army in the northwestern Zamfara state. The operation was carried out last Sunday morning in Bukkiyum area.
For the past few years, such criminal groups have been terrorizing villages in North West and Central Nigeria. They have been attacking, kidnapping, looting and arson in villages.
The army attacked a camp in the Makakkari forest area, where nearly four hundred criminal members had gathered. According to the report, this action was taken after the increase in kidnapping and violent activities in Zamfara state in the last one month.
Before the operation, thirteen security personnel were killed and some local residents were kidnapped in an attack on Adabka village on Friday. Those groups who were preparing to attack were attacked in a planned manner from both the air and the ground.
Violence spread and serious impact
This kind of violence in Nigeria initially started with disputes between farmers and herdsmen over land and water rights. But now these groups are involved in crime and carrying out criminal activities like collecting taxes from villagers, stealing animals and kidnapping.
The violence has forced farmers to leave their fields, which has exacerbated the food crisis and malnutrition. Climate change and the reduction of aid from Western countries have made the situation more complicated.
Since 2015, the Nigerian government has been fighting against such criminal activities by mobilizing the army. Two years ago, the Zamfara state government formed a security group at the local level, but the violence has not been reduced.
Last July, at least ninety-five criminal members were killed in an operation by the army in Niger State. However, the violence spreading in different parts of the country has put the army under more challenges.
Now these criminal groups have started collaborating with Jihadi groups active in the Northeast region, which is creating an even bigger security challenge in the country.
