The tragic incident in Zamfara State saw bandits carry out violent attacks on farming communities, resulting in the loss of over 30 lives, including that of a respected Islamic cleric.
Reports revealed the assaults occurred in Gidangoga village in Maradun local government area and Bilbis village in Tsafe LGA of the State.
According to PRNigeria, bandits launched their attacks in Maradun Local Government Area, targeting Gidangoga village where farmers were preparing for the upcoming wet season.
Mallam Makwashi Maradun Mai Jan Baki, a renowned Islamic scholar, was tragically killed while tending to his farm.
He was known for leading Quranic recitations during Ramadan Tafsir at Maradun First Juma’at Mosque. Regrettably, his two children were reported missing after the attack.
Later the same day, bandits struck Bilbis village in Tsafe LGA, resulting in the deaths of 20 innocent civilians.
Local reports indicated that the farmers were ambushed while working in their fields, with the attackers showing no mercy.
Additionally, it was reported that Alhaji Murtala Ruwan Bado, a district head from Garbadu in Talata Marafa Emirate, narrowly escaped a bandit attack in the evening along Mayananchi road.
In another incident, heavily armed men suspected to be bandits killed a soldier in Katsina State.
The deceased was one of the soldiers attached to the 4SF Command in Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
The unfortunate event occurred on Gusau Road last week as the soldiers were traveling to Zamfara State in a commercial bus. Sources revealed that the assailants spared one soldier but killed the other due to alleged refusal to comply. The kidnapped soldier’s family has been contacted, and a ransom demand of N100 million has been made.
Zamfara State, situated in the Northern region, continues to grapple with serious security challenges posed by criminal elements known as bandits.
These groups carry out raids on villages, loot properties, kill residents, and set houses on fire.
The criminal activities extend beyond Zamfara to neighboring states like Katsina, Kaduna, and Niger, with incidents including mass abductions of students from schools.