From Maiharaji Altine Gusau,
Hundreds of people of Mada town in Gusau local government area of Zamfara state were seen last Saturday living the town, moving to other parts of the state due to persistent attacks by bandits.
Analyzer news gathered that, the town was attacked four times by the bandits in less than a week, a situation that has forced thousands of the people of the town to flee to other places both within and outside the state.
The bandits were in the town last Saturday where they shot one person to death, kidnapped three others and carted away with several aminals and foodstuffs.
Many of them were seen along Gusau-Zaria road, looking for transportation to leave the area as the bandits threatened to return to the town for another attack.
Mostly affected were women and children who were seen carrying their belongings and trekking to other places.
An indigene of the area, Alhaji Sani Mohammed told The Analyzer news that, he was able to escape when the bandits attacked the town last Saturday.
“I was in my house when I heard gunshots and when I peeped through the window, I saw many people running helterskelter”.
“I was lucky to have jumped over the wall and run as quickly as I could into a nearby bush and later I trekked to the main road then finally arrived in Gusau town”.
“My only problem is that, I don’t know where my family are at the moment because I did not wait to see them leave the house due to fear of the bandits”.
Meanwhile, the state government has closed down the popular market of the town following the recent attacks of the town by the bandits.
In a statement, the state’s commissioner of information Ibrahim Dosara said, “following the attacks on Mada, Wonaka, and Ruwan Bore Districts of Gusau local government, as well as Yandoto emirate in Tsafe local government, Governor Bello Mohammed Mattawale has approved the immediate closure of all markets and Kara in those districts and Yandoto emirate indefinitely”.
“In addition to this, government has equally banned riding of motorbikes and selling of petroleum products in Mada, Wonaka and Ruwan Bore districts, as well as Yandoto emirate”.
”Henceforth, all filling stations on the affected areas are hereby closed with immediate effect”.
“Anybody found riding motorbike within the areas is considered as bandits and security agencies are thereby directed to shoot such persons at sight”.
“Security agencies are by this announcement directed to ensure strict compliance”.
