Bandits abduct Traditional ruler, 49 others in Zamfara
No fewer than 50 people were kidnapped by terrorists in Lingyado, a town in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, on Sunday.
The victims, mostly farmers, were reportedly abducted along with their traditional ruler during an attack that lasted many hours.
One of the residents who witnessed the attack told BBC Hausa that the terrorists stormed the village on motorcycles carrying heavy guns.
“They circled the village and started shooting sporadically. They captured whoever they found outside. About 50 people were kidnapped, including the traditional ruler,” he said.
The witness said the people kidnapped were mostly men as the women have since left the village due to the many cases of rape.
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“They frequently come, harass, and rape our wives. That is why the town became only for men and children,” he added.
Some residents have dispersed to neighbouring villages and other communities due to the frequency of attacks.
The Zamfara State Commissioner of Security and Internal Affairs, Abubakar Justice Zauran, confirmed the report but said the figure was less than 50.
The people of the village lamented that there had been no security apparatus to protect them for several years.
“They always come to attack us because there are no security forces here for over three years,” one of the villagers said.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, terrorists attacked Samarun Gusau of the Zamfara State and robbed residents of their valuables and properties. Residents said the terrorists ravaged the area at around 10 pm and fired guns but no casualty was recorded.
