It is tears, sorrow and a horrific situation at Gwaska village in Birnin-Gwari Local Government that were attacked by armed bandits yesterday.

According to the Birnin-Gwari Vanguards for Security and Good Governance, “So far about forty-five dead bodies were evacuated by the braved vigilantes and volunteers numbering five hundred with the assistance of handful soldiers this afternoon.”

The group in a statement issuedon Sundayquoted one of the vigilantes as saying: “The tensed atmosphere and untidy nature of the village environment necessitate the evacuation of forty-five bodies discovered for burial rites in Birnin-Gwari town.”

Another of the volunteers said the search and rescue operation remain ongoing at Gwaska, adding: “Death toll may rise as many bodies are likely to be found in the bush.”

“While we commend the resilience of the braved vigilantes and volunteers, we equally call on the people of Birnin-Gwari to remain calm and Vigilance for peaceful burial rites of the deceased and await government response (if any) on the massacre of innocent lives and destruction of their homes by armed bandits,” the statement, a copy of which was made available toNews Express, said.