Gunmen have attacked several communities in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State, murdering two locals and kidnapping 60 others.
This is coming two weeks after some bandits’ kingpins were killed by security operatives.
One of the warlords Kachalla Yellow (aka Dan Isuhu), was killed alongside his nephew-Adamu Aliero’s biological son about two weeks ago in a failed ambush on members of the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards deployed to Keta.
Aliero is Yellow’s elder brother and a known warlord. Another unnamed bandit leader was also reportedly killed around the same time in the area.
According to a local, “he and his gang planned to ambush the guards but were met by a well-armed security team. A fierce gun battle followed, during which Yellow and several gang members were killed.”
Ever since the killings of the warlords, bandits loyal to the notorious kingpin, Aliero, had increased their attacks in Tsafe LGA.
The last attack took place on Sunday in Gidan Arne village, where the gunmen killed three residents. Two died on the spot, while the third is receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
It was learnt that the gunmen went away with 40 women while setting several homes ablaze.
On the same day, they attacked the Keta community and killed a local, burnt 11 vehicles and looted numerous shops.
An anonymous community in Tsafe, said the attacks appeared coordinated following the manner they were carried out in Yan Doton Daji and Unguwan Chida villages.
He said 21 people were kidnapped -11 in Yan Doton Daji and 10 in Unguwan Chida, near Kucheri town.
“Tsafe is a soft target for bandits because of the thick forests in the area. These forests serve as hideouts for some of the notorious kingpins, particularly Adamu Aliero and Dogo Guide,” he said.
Efforts to get the comments of the Zamfara State Commissioner for Internal Security, Captain Bala Mairiga (rtd), were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or text messages sent to him.
The state Police spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, was yet to respond to enquiries as promised. He had said he would contact the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Tsafe and revert back, which he never did.
