Despite the order given security agents to crackdown on bandits disturbing the peace of Zamfara State, gunmen suspected to be bandits have attacked Ruwan Tofa in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, kidnapping several persons, mainly women and children.
Though Vanguard could not ascertain the exact number of persons abducted, some residents who managed to escape the onslaught said about 60 were taken away.
The development came as the state government, yesterday, declared a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Jangebe, following the mob action that trailed yesterday’s official handover of the 279 abducted students of Government Girls Secondary School who were set free by their abductors on Tuesday to their parents.
Residents said the bandits also set many houses and vehicles on fire in the attack that occurred Wednesday.
“They came in and started shooting, and setting houses on fire. People started running for safety, and some of the women and children who couldn’t run were abducted by the gunmen.”
The source said the bandits had also attacked two days ago, killing at least 15 people.
‘My 4 wives, children abducted’ An eyewitness lamented that his four wives and children were abducted by the armed men who left behind only his seven-year-old child. He explained that a representative of the village head and his entire family, as well as married women, children, and some aged ones were among those abducted.
Residents of the village faulted the response of security agencies to the attack, saying they made several calls to them as soon as the bandits arrived the community.
But dismissing report of the attack yesterday, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in the state, Shehu Mohammed, said in a statement: “The attention of Zamfara State Police Command has been drawn to the story trending on different media platforms about the attack on Tungar Baushe in Maru LGA.
“The number quoted was misleading and attempt to create fear in the minds of Zamfara citizens.
“The Zamfara Police Command has received information about the attack on the village which occurred on March 3, 2021. Our combined teams of ground and aerial surveillance are on extensive bush combing of the surrounding forests to rescue the victims suspected to have been kidnapped.
“Members of the public are enjoined to discountenance the reported figures and assist the security forces in the ongoing operations. They are to equally remain calm, as we update you from time to time, please.”
Recall that some media outfits quoted as many as 70 people kidnapped by the bandits who were said to have stormed the community wielding sophisticated weapons.
