Bandits overrun Zamfara community, kill four, two babies among 150 abducted

Bandits overrun Zamfara community, kill four, two babies among 150 abducted

 

Bandits reportedly had a field day on Sunday in Dan Isa village, some 14 kilometres from Gusau, Zamfara State capital, where they killed four people and took away into the bush 150 other persons including two babies.

A report on Tuesday by Daily Trust put the ages of the babies at six to eight months.

The bandits were said to have stormed the village around 3pm on Sunday, operating for six hours.

They reportedly arrived in the community on about 150 motorbikes, and began shooting continuously, causing residents to flee for safety

“My wife, Na’imah and our six-month-old child, Sudais, were among the victims. My brother’s wife, Aisha, and her eight-month-old child were also abducted. Several women and children were taken during the attack,” one of the villagers was quoted as saying.

Aminu Bello Dan Isa, another resident, said that the attack was carried out by a gang led by a notorious bandit called Alhaji Shehu Bagiwa.

The village has since been deserted, with residents relocating to places like Kasuwar Daji, Rawayya, Gyambarawa, and Gusau, due to fear of further attacks.

Dan Isa village had faced repeated bandit attacks over the past five years, resulting in numerous deaths and abductions. Residents appealed to the government for assistance, urging the deployment of soldiers to the area.

The attack happened just a week after 46 residents of Dogon Kade were released by bandits, following alleged payment of N21 million ransom.

Police reaction

When contacted, the Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Shehu Dalijan, said the police had not received information about this specific attack.