Buhari meets Matawalle on latest killings in Zamfara

Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, has visited President Muhammadu Buhari at Aso Rock Abuja to brief him about the latest security breaches in the state.

This is contained in a tweet by the President’s Personal Assistant on New Media, Bashir Ahmed.

It states, “President @MBuhari meets with Zamfara State Governor, H.E. Bello Matawalle this afternoon on the recent security setbacks in some part of his state. Days ago, the President directed the Defence HQ to respond robustly to the cases of killings and kidnappings in the country.”

About 200 people were buried last week following killings of civilians by motorcycle-riding gunmen in the state with many still unaccounted for.

Nneka Ikem Anibeze, a spokesperson for Sadiya Umar Farouq, minister of humanitarian affairs, confirmed that more than 200 bodies were buried.

“We are very saddened by this incessant invasion … and we also worried about the displaced persons who are fleeing in their hundreds from their communities,” the spokesperson said.

Farouq called the attacks on Zamfara “horrific and tragic”.

The minister said more 10,000 people were displaced when “their homes were razed by the bandits while scores are still missing”.

The state government had previously said 58 people were killed in the attacks.