Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State, North-West Nigeria, could not contain his emotions yesterday, breaking down in tears on sighting corpses of women, children and other residents of the village littering every part of Yar Galadima village of Maru Local government of the state.

Gunmen suspected to be cattle rustlers had on the rampage in the area on Saturday and early yesterday, leaving a tale of death and destruction in their trail.

News Express had yesterday morning put the death toll at 70 but reports this morning said it has hit 200. Unidentified gunmen had earlier on Thursday killed 22 people in two Zamfara villages, thus bringing the number of lives wasted to at least 222.

An eyewitness said that the hoodlums, numbering over 70, stormed the venue of a meeting being held by the vigilance group in the village to discuss security challenges in the area and the neighbouring states of Kaduna and Niger. In attendance were members of the vigilance group, youths and community leaders in these concerned states.

The Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) zone 10, Mamman Sule, has visited Yar Galadima in the company of the Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Bichi. AIG Sule confirmed 79 dead in the attacks.

Governor Yari during his visit consoled the bereaved families, telling them to take heart and praying for Allah to grant the victims Aljanna (Paradise).

He assured that government would do its best to stop future occurrence, assuring that the culprits will be dealt with.

•Photo shows a sacked Zamfara community.