At least 30 farmers, including a respected Islamic cleric, have been killed following bandits’ attacks in two farming communities in Zamfara State on Thursday.
An online platform, PR Nigeria, reported that the attacks occurred in Maradun and Tsafe local government areas.
ASP Yazid Abu Abubakar, a police spokesman in Zamfara State, confirmed the duo attacks but said details would be given later.
Sources also told the Daily Trust that Mallam Makwashi Maradun Mai Jan Baki, a renowned Islamic cleric, and another person were killed in Maradun town.
According to the source, two of the cleric’s children are still missing after the attack.
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It was also gathered that three other people were killed by the bandits in Gidangoga village, while residents of the village killed 24 bandits and recovered eight of their motorbikes.
A resident of Maradun said, “We engaged the bandits very well. Attacks are becoming more consistent in the Maradun area these days. They happen almost every day. Many communities in the local government have been vacated for fear of reprisal.”
PR Nigeria also reported that the bandits targeted Bilbis village in Tsafe LGA, leaving 20 civilians dead.
Local sources reported that the farmers were attacked while clearing their fields, and the bandits showed no mercy.
It was also gathered that a district head, Alhaji Murtala Ruwan Bado, of Garbadu in Talata Mafara Emirate, also narrowly escaped a bandit attack in the evening of the same day along Mayananchi Road.