Two members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and one member of the vigilante group have lost their lives during a shootout with bandits in Gwashi community of Bukkuyum area in Zamfara State on Wednesday.
Some bandits were also injured but local sources can’t confirm whether any of them bandits lost their lives.
21 Century Chronicles reports that Bukkuyum, an area that shares boundaries with Kebbi and Sokoto States, is one of the worse hits areas in terms of banditry activities.
Local sources told 21 Century Chronicles Thursday morning that bandits on motorcycles planned to invade Gwashi town, one of the major communities in the area, but residents received information on the attempt.
“Normally, when bandits are on their way to a community, they pass through other communities, any community that’s passed, we’ve people in the village that’ll call to inform us that bandits are on the way coming towards you. That was how we received information yesterday,” a community leader, who sought anonymity, told this reporter over the phone. “We quickly alerted Yan Maiduguri (Civilian JTF), community protection guards and our vigilante group members.”
According to him, the local security operatives swung into action by going outside the community to protect it from being attacked.
“The bandits didn’t expect resistance so they were equally surprised but because they have more weapons and were also in large numbers, they stayed and fought. Our security agents also stayed which led to he killing of three of our them.”
The source said several bandits were also shot but they were taken away by their friends and he couldn’t confirm if any of them is dead.
The bandits, according to another source, a government representative, withdrew after hours of gunfight.
“They couldn’t penetrate the town which was largely due to the resilience of the security operatives. Unfortunately, three of the people protecting us paid the supreme price,” the source said.
Funeral prayers for the slain local security operatives were conducted in the evening, 21 Century Chronicles gathered.
