Scores have been murdered in Damri, Sabongarin Damri, Kalahe villages in Bakura Local Government Area, and in Maradun, but the President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the arrest of the terrorists, insisting that they must not be allowed to operate freely.
A statement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, quoted as saying, “We mustn’t allow the return of days when the bandits had a free hand to do as they wished.
“The rural folk in Zamfara and elsewhere must be allowed to have peace.
“The momentum that has been developed must be sustained in order to bring closure to the activities of these murderers,” he said.
He expressed condolences to the families of the victims, the government and people of Zamfara state.
Recall that bandits attacked two villages in the Bakura Local Government Area of Zamfara State, killing at least 56 people with several others injured.
Speaking to Sunday PUNCH on phone, a resident of the area, Samaila Mohammed, said the bandits, who were on motorcycles and carrying sophisticated weapons, invaded Sabon-garin Damri and Kalahe villages on Friday, opening fire on everyone on sight.
Mohammed said, “The bandits, who were riding over 100 motorcycles with each motorcycle carrying three persons, attacked our village Sabon-garin Damri immediately after the Friday prayers and started shooting sporadically, killing many people.”
He said the bandits also moved to Kalahe village where they launched another attack, killing many people.
According to him, 56 dead bodies were recovered from Sabon-garin Damri and Kalahe villages on Saturday after the attack.
“We have counted 56 dead bodies today (Saturday) and there are several others who sustained severe injuries.”
Mohammed added that the bandits also carted away foodstuffs and many domestic animals.
Frantic efforts were made to get comments from the spokesperson for the state police command, SP Mohammed Shehu, but his phone numbers did not connect.
▪︎ Additional reports by The Punch
