Gunmen numbering about 100 on motorcycles on Thursday invaded Fanteka village in Daraga District of Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, killing 21 people in the process, while several others sustained injuries.

A survivor identified as Malam Yahaya told newsmen that the hoodlums stormed the village on that day around 4:30 p.m. on motorcycles.

He said “the gunmen started asking whoever they met to surrender their cows and sheep.

“When nobody responded, they started shooting sporadically as the villagers also resisted them and even killed three of the bandits in self defence.

It was gathered that this got the hoodlums angry and they fired at the villagers. In the process, they killed 21 people.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state command, DSP Sanusi Amiru, confirmed the incident.

He, however, said that “based on police report, nine deaths were recorded, six of the villagers and three members of the hoodlums were killed. (Sunday Tribune)

•Photo shows Zamfara Governor Abdulaziz Yari.