30 Killed Fear Grips Zamfara Residents As Bandits Raid Villages

Thirty people have been reportedly killed in a raid on villages in Zamfara state by cattle rustling and kidnapping gangs. 

Vanguard reports that some armed bandits on motorcycles invaded five villages in Maradun district of Zamfara state on Tuesday, July 17, afternoon, firing shots indiscriminately and stealing livestock.

Jabbi Labbo, a community leader in one of the villages - Gyadde - said 26 people have so far being buried since the attack happened.

Labbo said seven people were killed in Sakkida, four in Farin Zare, eight in Orawa, seven in Gyadde and four in Sabon Gari.

According to him, some people who have been missing since the attack have been presumed to have drowned while running for safety.

He said: "We recovered 30 bodies from the attacks and we have so far buried 26 while four are being prepared for burial."

“Seven persons were killed in Sakkida, four in Farin Zare, eight in Orawa, seven in Gyadde and four in Sabon Gari," Labbo said.

Also confirming the statement by the community leaders, a resident of Orawa, Sule Mada said, the attackers made away with lots of cattle, sheep, goats.

"Seven other people were missing and presumed to have drowned in a nearby river while trying to escape the carnage.

They attacked the villages simultaneously and took away a lot of cattle, sheep and goats,” Mada said. 

Speaking on the incident, the Zamafara state police command said only three people were killed.

The spokesperson of the for the command, Mohammed Shehu, said: "Some villages in Maradun local governments were attacked by bandits yesterday and three people were killed." 

Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that two soldiers were killed in a gun battle with some armed bandits in the state.

Also, several armed bandits were also killed in the attack that took place in Bawar Daji village in Anka local government area of Zamfara state.

The council chairman of the local government area, Mustapha Gado who confirmed the incident said the troops deployed to the village engaged the armed bandits in a fierce gun duel resulting to the death of two soldiers including a captain.