From Maiharaji Altine, Gusau
Bandits have again killed eight people in Dutsin Gari and Rayau villages of Maru local government area of Zamfara state in fresh attacks.
An eye witness account, Malam Ibro Mamman who spoke to our reporter said the bandits who were on motorcycles invaded the Dutsin Gari village last night with the intention of abducting some people but were squarely faced by the villagers.
According to him, the villagers engaged the bandits into a heavy fight which lasted several hours.
Mamman said ‘When the bandits realized that, they could not succeed in their nefarious activity, they opened fire where they killed six people, injured many and moved to a nearby village called Rayau”.
“In Rayau village, the bandits also faced similar challenges from the villagers who were battle-ready on receiving the report of what happened in Dutsin Gari village”.
“The villagers came out in large number and engaged the bandits in a gun battle where two of the villagers lost their lives and the bandits left without abducting anybody”. Said Mamman.
Mamman also said, the bandits have returned to the two villages early this morning only to find out that many people have fled to Kanoma town for fear of reprisal attack.
According to him, the angry bandits set many houses on fire and carted away with domestic animals.
Recall that, the bandits have in the past abducted 40 worshippers including the Imam in Dutsin Gari village during the Friday prayers some months ago.
Frantic efforts were made to talk to the spokesperson of the police command, SP Mohammed Shehu, but he didn’t pick up the phone calls.
