Security Agencies Ignored Villagers Distress Calls As Bandits Kill 51 In Zamfara

• Witness say a military jet arrived at a point, but left without repelling the attackers

No fewer that 51 persons were killed when rampaging bandits unleashed terror on villages in Zamfara state.

Ekohotblog reports that the gunmen were said to have carried out simultaneous attacks on Gobirawa, Rini, Gora, and Madoti Dankule in Bakura and Maradun LGAs.

BBC Hausa reports that the funeral of 51 people killed by “bandits” was held this morning. A witness told the BBC that the bandits operated for 7hrs from 7am – 1pm yesterday. He said they reported the attack to security forces but no help came.

The witness said a military jet arrived at a point, but left without repelling the attackers. The communities said they were attacked because they were accused of preparing to defy bandits’ order that they should farm.

Aminu Suleiman, administrator of Bakura LGA who confirmed the incident, said the gunmen came on motorcycles and started shooting sporadically.

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“Yesterday, we prayed for 17 people killed in Rini and about 10 people in Gora. There were actually two incidents,” Suleiman said, when a delegation from the state assembly visited the area.

“The first attack led to the killing of about 20 people and the reprisal by the Yan-Sakai – local vigilante — that led to the killing of about 10 people as well.”

The bandits also reportedly have razed houses and other properties of the villagers.

Suleiman called on the government to heighten security in the area, especially for farmers.

Reacting, Nasiru Magarya, speaker of the house of assembly who led the delegation, said the state government will provide support for the victims and ensure the deployment of more security personnel in the area.

For months on end, communities in Zamfara have been at the receiving end of diabolical and nefarious  activities of gunmen.