Zamfara: Bandits abduct women, children in Zamfara, set shops on fire 

From Abdullahi Abdulrahaman Chakwa Gusau

Bandits have attacked Tashar Kuturu in Jangebe village of Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State, abducting women and children and setting shops on fire.

According to the chairman of Muryar Talata Mafara, Comrade Kabiru Jangebe, the bandits  attacked Tashar Kutu around 1:00am Monday morning with sophisticated weapons.

“The bandits came with heavy arms. They put two machine guns on the ground and opened fire on the community,” Kabiru said.

Comrade Kabiru further said bandits shot one person on the leg.

“They kidnapped more than 46 women and children and they broke the legs of one person with ammunition,” Kabiru said.

He added that the bandits set many shops ablaze and carted away property including medicine.

“They burnt three big provisions stores and other small shops after they carted away properties. Almost 9 shops were set ablaze. This incident thrown the community into confusion as many scampered into the bush. As at now, 48 people are missing including women, children and nursing mothers,” Comrade Kabiru added.

Kabiru said the bandits operation lasted for two hours as they over powered the security.

“The security personnel came, but they couldn’t confront the bandits due to the superiority of their weapons. The security can’t engage the bandits because they are using machines,” Kabiru stated.

There is discrepancy on the number of the kidnapped victims as the authorities concerned refused to speak.

When contacted, one of the elders of the village who claimed anonymity revealed that the actual number of the kidnapped victims are yet to be compiled.

“I don’t know the figure you said, but I have spoken to the senior District Head  and he told me that he doesn’t know the actual number of the people kidnapped; but I directed them to go from House to House and collect the data of the missing people and compile the actual data,” he said.

He further said that based on the information he got he incident occurred around 2:00am to 3:00am Monday morning.

“Army responded to the distress call from Anka; they came with armoured car and pursuit the bandits; but the bandits diverted the attention of the security using torch lights and sporadic shooting towards Makera area in Jangebe village, where the army were busy defending the other area; while another bandit gang was at Tashar Kutu.

“The Askarawan Zamfara quickly went to Tunkar Kasara in advance to block the bandits, but an informant allegedly told the bandits to take another direction; and the Askarawan Zamfara traced them up to Dangulbi village; but up now their hideout has not been discovered.

The older man later confirmed to the Daily Trust that house to house search put the number of the kidnapped victims at 22, out of which 5 are nursing mothers, one adult while the rest are children, but one boy escaped.

“They burgled only two shops and carted away smart phones and confiscated the bags of two people.”

However, the chairman of Talata Mafara Local, Hon. Yahaya Abubakar Yaris, confirmed the abduction of 23 person at Tashar Kuturu.

Yari said the Bandits attacked Tashar Kuturu around 2:00 am this morning and kidnapped 23 person out of which one escaped.

“The actual figure of the kidnapped victims in Tashar Kuturu is 23 and the bandits shot a mad man on the legs and hands. He is currently receiving treatment.

He added that on Sunday bandits attacked Matura village in Kagara District, too, where they kidnapped 3 and killed one person.

“The bandits also attacked Matura village in Kagara District, Kidnapped 3 people and killed one person.

Hon. Yahaya Yari said currently 22 people are in the bandits’ captivity and efforts are underway to rescue them.

When contacted, the Zamfara State Police public relations officer DSP Yazid Abubakar refused to comment on the issue.

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