ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Bandits reportedly attacked the Gidan Zuma community in Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State on Sunday, killing 11 people, and abducted 20 others
Gidan Zuma is a few kilometres from Bungudu town, the headquarters of the local government, which is about 12 kilometres from Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.
According to residents, the abducted victims were mostly women and children.
They also disclosed that the attackers were unchallenged as local vigilantes manning the community went to defend a neighbouring community under attack.
Until Sunday’s incident, the community rarely suffered attacks due to its local defence mechanism that scared away armed bandits.
READ ALSO:Kuriga Abduction: Gov Sani Vows To Rescue All Victims
A resident who spoke with Premium Times under anonymity said, “The attackers invaded the town on Sunday after they got a hint that our vigilante members went to assist the neighbouring community that was under attack.
“The gunmen first killed five people at the entrance of the town and killed six others at the climax of their operation inside the town.”
Also, another resident whose wife and child were among those kidnapped told BBC Hausa service on Monday how the attack happened.
He narrated that the attack happened during the day when most of the residents were observing the Islamic Ramadan fast.
“I don’t know the condition of my family now, I watched as they went away with my wife backing the child, I was helpless,” he said.
When contacted, the police spokesperson in Zamfara, Yazeed Abubakar, said he was out for an official engagement and is yet to be briefed about the incident.
READ ALSO: Kaduna Police Arrest Seminarian Killer and Bandit Leader Yakubu Saidu
Meanwhile, Zamfara is one of the states most affected by terrorism in North-west Nigeria.
Different bandits groups operate in the region, killing and kidnapping residents at will.
They reportedly travel in a long convoy of motorcycles to reach their targets despite the presence of security personnel in the areas.