Nigeria's President Buhari condoles families of mass shooting in Zamfara state

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled the families of dozens of miners killed in a mass shooting at a mine in Zamfara state, in the country's northeast, on 8 November. At least 36 people were killed when around 70 armed bandits attacked the mining site in Bindin, Maru Local Government Area.

In a Twitter post, Buhari said the federal government was working with authorities in Zamfara to identify the culprits and find a solution to the "problem of armed banditry in the state and region."

The motive behind the attack is unclear. It is believed the gunmen – suspected to be cattle rustlers – looted most of the minerals during the attack, the Vanguard newspaper reported.

Earlier this year, Buhari sent special military units to fight armed bandits based in forests in Zamfara.

During an official visit to the state, the leader said: "Part of the reasons I am personally here in Zamfara State [is] to flag-off the military operations aimed at rooting out the menace of cattle rustlers and armed bandits not only in Zamfara State but the entire axis of north-west.

"I also wish to reiterate to the people of Zamfara state and to Nigerians in general the commitment of my administration to restoring sanity in governance," Buhari continued.

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