Armed bandits attacked farmers in several communities in the Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State, killing multiple people and injuring others on Wednesday morning.

Security expert, Bakatsine made the announcement in an alert on his X handle on Wednesday.

“ALERT: This morning, bandits have attacked farmers from Zonai, Sabon Gida, Dan Dabi and Magami in Gusau LGA, Zamfara State. Many were killed while working on their farms, others badly injured.”Bakatsine wrote.

The number of deaths has not yet been officially confirmed by authorities.

This comes amidst rising tensions in the area after notorious bandit kingpin, Bello Turji issued an extortion demand of ₦50 million to local farmers in some communities in Zamfara and Niger as a precondition to allow them commence the 2025 farming season peacefully.

Zamfara has battled insecurity attributed to armed banditry for years, and rural communities in the region have often sustained the brunt of that violence, abductions and extortion.

The Federal Government has debunked reports suggesting the collapse of a proposed forward crude oil sale involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL.

This was as the government stated that no final decision has been made on the matter.

According to a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mohammed Manga, on Wednesday in Abuja, the government said it was aware of recent media speculation surrounding the deal, stressing that such commentary is premature and inaccurate.

“While market speculation is not uncommon in the context of ongoing economic reforms and transactions, no final decision has been announced by the Government.

“Commentary suggesting the collapse of any such initiative is unfounded,” the statement read.

The statement maintained that the forward sale of crude oil-an arrangement often used to secure financing by pledging future oil production-remains under consideration as part of a broader strategy to stabilise Nigeria’s economy.

“The government remains focused on deploying a range of innovative, transparent, and fiscally responsible financing strategies to optimise Nigeria’s oil assets, improve external liquidity, and strengthen macroeconomic stability,” Manga said.

The Federal Government expresssed its commitment to deploying innovative, transparent, and fiscally responsible financing strategies to optimize Nigeria’s oil assets, improve external liquidity, and strengthen macroeconomic stability.

The move is said to be part of the government’s ongoing economic reforms aimed at promoting economic growth and development.

The Finance Ministry also reassured stakeholders that any decisions regarding forward crude oil sales will be made with careful consideration and transparency.