Forty-two persons have been killed in different attacks in Zamfara and Katsina states.
Seven policemen, a member of the Zamfara State Community Guards, also known as Askarawan Zamfara and four residents of the village were killed on Thursday at Magarya village in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Shehu Dalijan, disclosed this on Thursday night, adding that about 300 bandits invaded the village on motor bikes, surrounded our men and killed seven of them while injuring several others.
“The bandits were not happy with our men who prevented them from carrying out their heinous act for over two years now.
“Since the deployment of police to the area, the bandits could not have a chance to attack the village,” Dalijan said.
The police commissioner said more police personnel would be deployed in the area.
A resident, Muhammad Yusuf, said the bandits attacked the village at 5.10am when people were preparing for subhi (morning prayer), adding that they also burnt two houses, a car and many silos.
“The bandits also rustled three camels and some cows, sheep and goats. However, they did not abduct anybody during the operation,” he said.
In Katsina State, different groups of gunmen reportedly killed more than 30 persons when they raided villages in Dutsin-Ma and Safana Local Government Areas.
The villages attacked on Tuesday are Tashar Kawai Mai Zurfi, Sabon Gari Unguwar Banza, Dogon Ruwa, Sanawar Kurecen Dutsi, Unguwar Bera, Kuricin Kulawa, Larabar Tashar Mangoro, Sabaru, Ashata, Unguwar Ido, Kanbiri, Kunamawar Mai Awaki and Kunamawar ‘Yargandu.
The gunmen returned on Thursday and invaded Dogon Ruwa, ‘Yar Kuka, Rimi, Lezumawa and other villages, forcing the locals to flee and seek refuge in Dutsinma town and Turare village.
The spokesperson of the Katsina State Police Command, ASP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, was yet to respond to enquiries on the a\attacks as at the time of this report.
