In Zamfara State, 12 people, including seven policemen, were killed on 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 killings last night.
Dalijan said the bandits, numbering about 300, stormed the village on motorbikes.
“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.
He assured that more police personnel would be deployed in the area.
A resident, Muhammad Yusuf, recounted that the assailants invaded the village at 5:10 am 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 headcount and discovered that 12 people, including seven mobile policemen, were killed,” Yusuf said.
Another resident, Ibrahim Shehu, noted that many 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.
Confirming the incident, Inuwa Isa, another resident, said the attackers “conducted a house-to-house search before killing people, burning two houses and a car.”
In Katsina State, different sets of bandits killed no fewer than 30 people in attacks on villages in Dutsinma and Safana Local Government Areas.
The affected villages include 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 attacked on Tuesday, and the bandits launched another attack yesterday on Dogon Ruwa, ‘Yar Kuka, Rimi, Lezumawa, and other villages, forcing residents to flee to 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 but had not done so by press time.
Local government areas like Batsari, Kankara, Malumfashi, and Faskari have witnessed attacks by bandits in recent times.
Senate to Tinubu: Review Security Strategy in N/West, N/Central
The Senate has asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to review the security approach in the North West and North Central geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
It also urged the president to direct the establishment of a task force to secure farmlands.
The Senate’s resolution followed the adoption of a motion co-sponsored by Senator Nasiru Sani Zangon Daura (Katsina North) and 10 other senators from the North West.
