From Maiharaji Altine, Gusau
Rampaging bandits have again killed 50 persons in some villages of Maru local government area of Zamfara state between morning to evening of last Wednesday.
An eye witness account, Malam Sufyanu said that, the bandits who were in large number have attacked the villagers from nearby villages of Magami town who were trying to defend themselves due to non presence of security personnel.
According to him the affected communities who had left their villages due to persistent banditry have returned to their homes two days ago when the bandits mobilised and attacked them again.
50 persons were Killed while many others were currently in Magami General Hospital, receiving treatment due to gunshots.
He explained that, the bandits were attacking the communities for over seven hours while the villagers were fleeing out of their homes as there were no security personnel to protect them.
The affected communities according to him are, Ruwan-dawa, Fari-mana, Kasaba, Arzidinda, Mai-kogo, Mai Aya-Aya, Mai-rairai, Gidan-maza and kulkillai.
He further explained that, “20 persons from Ruwan dawa were killed, 10 from Fari mana and six each from Madaba and Arzikinda villages”.
“Maikogo, Mai Aya-Aya and Mai rairai villages lost two persons each, while one each from Gidan Maza and kulkillai lost their lives bringing the total number of those killed to 50”
Reacting to this, the State Police Public Relations Officer SP Mohammed Shehu said, “The command received a distress call about an attack by suspected bandits on very inaccessible and remote areas of Yardoka and Kango Fari Mana in Magami district of Gusau LGA”.
“The affected communities apart from not being motorable, are also far flung locations that are outside GSM service areas which made it impossible for quick response by the security agencies”.
“Meanwhile, PMF 19 Contingent attached to Puff Adder II that are based in Magami responded to the locations on foot with a view to forestalling further attacks on the neighbouring communities and their response is being awaited to ascertain the level of damage done by the assailants”.