Bandits kill 7 vigilantes in Zamfara

Suspected armed bandits yesterday morning killed at least seven vigilantes, otherwise known as Yan Sakai in an attack on Dansadau town of Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Residents told Daily Trust Saturday that the criminals invaded the community around 3am and went after selected targets. It was learnt that they fired several shots into the air and went into some houses and abducted about 13 people, including women.

“Those killed were the vigilantes who bravely came out of their houses and fought the attackers. The criminals also set ablaze, an armoured vehicle stationed at the community by security operatives.

“The security operatives fought back, but they were overwhelmed, probably by the number of the assailants,” a resident said.

Dansadau, a community located 100km south of Gusau, the state capital, has suffered a series of deadly raids by armed criminals. The armed men decided to spike their assaults on the community after the local vigilantes extrajudicially executed suspected bandits some months back.

The residents of the community also blocked the suspected bandits from getting foods, such as bread and soft drinks from the local traders in the community.

The bandits, who were apparently angered by the moves, blocked the residents of the community, who are largely farmers, from accessing their farmlands in retaliation.

Dozens of farmers have been killed or abducted since the start of this year’s cropping season.

The spokesman of the state police command, SP Muhammad Shehu, could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report.