From Maiharaji Altine, Gusau
Bandits have kidnapped over 60 women and children children at Gidan Baushe village in Maru local government area of Zamfara.
They have however released eight men who were abducted along with the women.
An eye witness account Malam Rikwanu Abubakar told The Punch that the bandits have also set many shops and foodstuffs on fire”.
According to Abubakar, the bandits who were moving with their animals came to the village in the afternoon of yesterday and demanded that they should collect some food items and other essential commodities from the villagers.
“They came with large number of animals moving to another place and when they reached Gidan Baushe village, they made a stop over and wanted to take away some food items and other valuables from some shopd but the villagers refused to allow them to take the items”.
“When the bandits realized that the villagers were not ready to surrender their properties, they started shooting in the air and the people ran helter skelter for their lives”.
According to Abubakar, the bandits collected what they wanted and later set some shops, houses and two vehicles on fire.
He however maintained that, the eight men who were abducted along with the women and children were back home today.
Abubakar expressed disgust over the reports by some media that, it was Ruwan Tofa village that was attacked.
“Ruwan Tofa was not attacked. It was our village that was attacked’. Lamented Abubakar.
In a press release, the state police command confirmed the story, saying however that, the number of the kidnapped victims www outrageous.
“The attention of Zamfara State Police Command has been drawn to the above story trending on different media platforms about the attack on Tungar Baushe in Maru LGA”.
“The number quoted was misleading and attempt to create fear into the minds of Zamfara citizens”.
“The Zamfara Police Command has received information about the attack on the village which occurred on 3rd March 2021. Our combined teams of ground and aerial surveillance are on extensive bush combing of the sarrounding forests aimed at rescuing the victims suspected to have been kidnapped”.
“Members of the public are enjoined to discontenance the reported figures and assist the security forces in the ongoing operations. They are to equally remain calm, as we update you from time to time, please”.
