In Zamfara State, 12 people, including seven policemen were killed om Thursday at Magarya village in Zurmi Local Government Area. Among the victims were a member of the Zamfara State Community Guards, also known as Askarawan Zamfara and four residents of the village.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Muhammad Shehu Dalijan, confirmed the killing of his officers to Daily Trust last night.

The CP said the bandits, numbering about 300, stormed the village on motor bikes.

“They surrounded our men and opened fire on them, thereby killing seven of them and injuring several others.

“The bandits were not happy with our men who prevented them from carrying out their heinous act for over two years now.

“Since the deployment of police to the area, the bandits could not have a chance to attack the village,” Dalijan said.

The police commissioner said more police personnel would be deployed in the area.

A resident, Muhammad Yusuf, told Daily Trust that the assailants invaded the village at 5.10am when people were preparing for subhi  (morning prayer).

He said the bandits also burnt two houses, a car and many silos.

“The bandits also rustled three camels and some cows, sheep and goats. However, they did not abduct anybody during the operation.

“When the bandits attacked the village, the occupants ran into the bush. When they returned, we took a head count and discovered that 12 people, including seven mobile policemen, were killed.

“This is the fourth time bandits are attacking our village. The first attack was two years after the deployment of a mobile police unit to the area. They attacked the village three times before the deployment of security personnel,” Yusuf said.

Another resident, Ibrahim Shehu, said many of the villagers had fled for fear of further attacks.

“The bandits had warned that they would come for another attack; hence the residents fled their homes. Some residents moved to Gusau, the state capital, while others went to nearby towns.

“We are terrified. And you know that these people are like animals. Since they promised to come back, it is better for us to leave the area for our lives. Very few people remained in the village,” he said.

Also confirming the incident to our correspondent, Inuwa Isa, another resident, said the attackers “conducted a house-to-house search before killing people, burning two houses and a car.”

Different sets of bandits were also said to have killed no fewer than 30 persons in attacks on villages in Dutsinma and Safana Local Government Areas of Katsina State.

The affected villages are Tashar Kawai Mai Zurfi, Sabon Gari Unguwar Banza, Dogon Ruwa, Sanawar Kurecen Dutsi, Unguwar Bera, Kuricin Kulawa, Larabar Tashar Mangoro, Sabaru, Ashata, Unguwar Ido, Kanbiri, Kunamawar Mai Awaki and Kunamawar ‘Yargandu.

The villages were said to have been attacked on Tuesday.

The bandits were said to have launched a fresh attack yesterday on Dogon Ruwa, ‘Yar Kuka, Rimi, Lezumawa and other villages.

The attacks forced residents to flee and seek refuge in Dutsinma town and Turare village.

When contacted for comment, the spokesman of the Katsina State Police Command, ASP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, promised to get back to our correspondent yesterday, but he never did.

Local government areas like Batsari, Kankara, Malumfashi and Faskari had witnessed attacks by bandits in recent times.

END.