A tragic incident unfolded in Zamfara State when bandits carried out a series of violent attacks on farming communities, resulting in the loss of over 30 lives, including that of a highly respected Islamic cleric.
Reports obtained by Naija News on Saturday morning revealed that the violent assaults took place in Gidangoga village in the Maradun local government area and Bilbis village in Tsafe LGA of the State.
According to, PRNigeria, the bandits initiated their attacks in Maradun Local Government Area by targeting Gidangoga village, where farmers were engaged in land preparation for the upcoming wet season.
Mallam Makwashi Maradun Mai Jan Baki, a well-known Islamic scholar, was tragically killed while tending to his farm.
The deceased was recognized for leading Quranic recitations during Ramadan Tafsir at Maradun First Juma’at Mosque. Sadly, his two children were missing following the attack.
Later in the day, the bandits again struck Bilbis village in Tsafe LGA, resulting in the deaths of 20 innocent civilians.
Reports from local sources indicated that the farmers were ambushed while working in their fields, with the bandits showing no compassion.
It was also gathered that a district head from Garbadu in Talata Marafa Emirate, Alhaji Murtala Ruwan Bado, narrowly escaped a bandit attack in the evening along Mayananchi road.
Bandits Kill Soldier In Zamfara, Kidnap Another
Just recently, heavily armed men suspected to be bandits killed a soldier in Katsina State.
Naija News gathered that the deceased is one of the soldiers attached to the 4SF Command in Baga, in the Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
It was reported that the assailants decided to spare the other soldier accompanying the deceased on the journey, as they are said to have obtained permission to visit their families in Zamfara.
This unfortunate incident took place on Gusau Road last week, while the soldiers were en route to Zamfara State in a commercial bus.
According to SaharaReporters, sources revealed that one of the soldiers was killed because of his alleged refusal to comply, while the other soldier, along with other passengers, was taken captive.
The kidnappers have since contacted the family members of the abducted soldier and demanded a ransom of N100 million for his safe release. An audio recording reportedly obtained by the media platform also confirmed the kidnappers’ ransom demand.
“The bandits attacked a bus which had two soldiers on pass to go and see their parents in Zamfara State. They realised that one of the soldiers was very stubborn, and they killed him immediately while the other one was abducted.
“They have started communicating with his relatives and N100 million is the least amount they demanded right now; the two were from Baga 4SF command,” one of the sources told journalists.
Naija News reports that Zamfara, located in the Northern region, is facing a serious security challenge caused by criminal elements referred to as bandits. These bandits carry out raids on villages, looting properties, killing residents, and setting houses on fire.
The criminal groups have established camps not only in Zamfara but also in neighbouring states such as Katsina, Kaduna, and Niger.
One of the most alarming incidents is the mass abduction of students from schools that has occurred in recent years.
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