Bandits have attacked at least 15 communities in Zamfara state, killing many people and kidnapping more than 20 women.
Among those abducted in the attacks that happened in Gusau local government area of the state are young girls.
The attacks, witnesses said, started Saturday night to Sunday morning.
Those who spoke to BBC Hausa as monitored by 21st CENTURY CHRONICLE said most of the villages have deserted as of Sunday evening for fear of more attacks.
The Commissioner for information, Ibrahim Dosara, confirmed the attacks but said security agents chased the bandits away from the villages.
Residents of Geba, Kura, Duma, Gana, Tsakuwa, Gidan Kada, Gidan Kaura and others are now taking refuge in Damba Estate in the state capital.
“They took 10 women in Kura village. In Bayauri, we knew they took nine women including young ladies, while seven women were taken in Gana and went to Duma and abducted another seven in the early morning of yesterday Sunday,” an anonymous resident told BBC Hausa.
He added that those who have escaped the attack in Kura said seven people were killed but they couldn’t retrieve their corpses for proper burial.
A resident of Damba Quarters said: “They’re here in Damba with mostly women and children in the open. They’ve not found shelter but we at least fell safe here. No food, no decent clothing. I feel bad for them and the situation is terrible. It’s as if there is no government in this country.”
Mr Dosara, insisted however that the bandits were tackled by security agents in the areas.
“They were soldiers stationed in all the areas and they quickly went in when Geba community was being attacked. When the soldiers reached Geba, three residents have been wounded already but they save them and chased the bandits away,” he said.
Mr Dosara denied that the 15 communities were not left at the mercy of the bandits during the attacks.
The police command spokesperson in Zamfara state, Mohammed Shehu didn’t respond to calls and SMS sent to him by 21 stCENTURY CHRONICLE on the attacks.
