Friday, August 30, 2024 -At least 37 bandits were reportedly killed in Matusgi village, Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State, after residents engaged a gang that invaded the community to carry out abductions.
According to reports, the bandits
arrived on motorbikes around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, with the intent to abduct
residents, saying it was not the first time the villagers had confronted
bandits, but it was the first instance where they managed to inflict significant
casualties.
The bandits reportedly began their attack
by firing sporadically to intimidate the community. However, the residents had
been alerted in advance and were prepared when the bandits arrived.
Armed with locally-made firearms, some
villagers fought back, while others used traditional weapons to encircle the
area and prevent the bandits from escaping.
After an hour of intense fighting, the
bandits retreated, with 10 of their members reported dead. The residents then
regrouped, strategised, and set up an ambush. When the bandits returned, the
villagers launched another attack, ultimately killing 37 bandits in total
The District Head of Matusgi, Alhaji
Ciroma Muhammad, confirmed the incident, stating that three villagers were
killed during the clash.
He noted that neighbouring villages
reported seeing the bandits transporting the bodies of their fallen comrades on
motorbikes.
"This is the 13th time bandits have
attacked this village,” Alhaji Muhammad said.
“Three weeks ago, the bandits kidnapped 23
people, mostly women. They carried out the operation quietly, without firing
any shots until after they had left. We only became aware of their departure
when they fired a few shots in the distance.”
He added that the bandits had demanded a
ransom of N150,000 per person. After payment, only seven of the abducted women
were released, with the remaining hostages still in captivity.
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