Gunmen suspected to be bandits have attacked Tashar Katuru in Jangebe community of Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State, abducting scores of villagers, mostly women and children, and setting several shops ablaze.

The Chairman of Muryar Talata Mafara, Comrade Kabiru Jangebe, said the bandits invaded the community with sophisticated weapons at about 1:13 a.m. on Monday.

“The bandits came with sophisticated weapons. They opened fire on the community. And the villagers were running helter-skelter,” he said.

Jangebe further disclosed that one of the villagers sustained a leg injury after being shot by the gunmen.

“The bandits set many shops ablaze and carted away property, including medicine.”

“They set three big provisions stores and other small shops ablaze after they carted away properties.”

“Almost none shops were set ablaze. The incident has thrown the community into serious confusion as many ran into the bush. As I am talking to you now, 48 people are missing including women, children and nursing mothers.”

He explained that the bandits’ operation lasted for over two hours, overpowering security operatives.

“The security personnel came, but they couldn’t confront the bandits as the gunmen were with sophisticated weapons. The security can’t engage the bandits because they are using machines.”

There was, however, a discrepancy in the number of abducted persons, as relevant authorities declined to give an official figure.

An elder of the village, who pleaded anonymity, said the actual number of abducted victims was yet to be fully compiled.

“I don’t know the figure, 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.

According to him, “based on the information I got, the incident occurred around 2:00am to 3:00am Monday morning.”

“Army responded to the distress call from Anka; they came with armoured car and chased 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 Kuturu.”

“The Zamfara local security outfit, Askarawan 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 made known.”

The villagers later confirmed that a house-to-house search put the number of abducted victims at 22.

“The villagers also later confirmed 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.”

Reacting to the incident, the Chairman of Talata Mafara Local Government Area, Hon. Yahaya Abubakar Yari, confirmed the abduction of 23 persons at Tashar Kuturu.

Yari said the terrorists attacked the community around 2:00 a.m. on Monday.

“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 also disclosed that the bandits attacked Matura village in Kagara district on Sunday, where they abducted three persons and killed one.

Hon. Yari said 22 persons are currently in the bandits’ den, adding that efforts are ongoing to rescue them.

When contacted, the Zamfara State Police Command spokesman, DSP Yazid Abubakar, declined to comment on the incident. (Guardian)