A bandit group, known as Turj, has abducted over 150 villagers and travellers in Shinkafi local government area of Zamfara State over the recent arrest of its leader’s father by security agents.
The gang leader’s father was arrested by security operatives in Kano about two weeks ago, but his whereabouts is yet unknown.
The villages attacked by the bandits on Friday, 21st CENTURY CHRONICLE learnt, include Kurya, Keta, Kware, Badarawa, Marisuwa, Maberaya, among others.
A resident of one of the affected villages said the abductions began on Friday and had continued to early Saturday.
He said the bandit leader had earlier sent a warning to residents of some villages asking them to vacate the area.
The source said the bandit leader had also vowed to stop people from performing the upcoming Sallah, if his father was not released to perform sallah with his family.
21st CENTURY CHRONICLE gathered that the bandits attacked Shinkafi town on Friday, destroyed the emir’s Palace with a grenade and abducted five women.
The Zamfara State Police Command is yet to issue any statement on the incident.
