Bandits kill 12

CJTF members, burn motorbikes in Zamfara

Suspected armed bandits Monday ambushed and killed at least 12 members of the Civilian Joint Task Force in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Daily Trust gathered.

The civilian JTF members mostly from Kware and and Kurya villages were coming back from a meeting in Shinkafi town when they were intercepted by the bandits who killed them.

Two weeks ago, the state government announced a plan to recruit 8,500 civilian Joint Task Force members as a fresh move to end the incessant killings and kidnappings in the state.

Residents told Daily Trust that the motor bike riding gang of civilian JTF members were caught unawares inside the forest and killed with their motorbikes burnt.

“They opened fire on them and killed a dozen even though the civilian JTF members fought back, but were overpowered by the bandits , the CJTF carry dane guns; while the bandits moved around with more sophisticated rifles. As I am talking to you, 10 bodies have been recovered and after I had left the place, two more corpses were found,” Sani Kware said.

However, the spokesman of the state police command, Muhammad Shehu said the command had received a distress call that at about 1805 hours, vigilante men of Kurya and Kware villages in Shinkafi Local Government Area were ambushed by suspected bandits along the Shinkafi road on their way back to their respective villages.

He said on receiving the report, combined team of PMF, CTU and ‘F’SARS led by the DPO Shinkafi, quickly moved to the scene for on-the-spot assessment.

“One body was recovered; while two other victims who sustained gunshot injuries were rushed to the General Hospital Shinkafi for treatment. Similarly, several motorcycles littered the scene with some of them set ablaze. Meanwhile, bush combing of the surrounding bush /search and rescue operations are ongoing.

“The command calls on members of the public to always remain conscious of their personal safety and protection. In the event they observe any suspicious movement or character, they should immediately report to any nearby police station for prompt action,” he said.