At least 13 people have been killed by bandits in three villages in the Dansadau Emirate of Maru Local Government Area, Zamfara State.
The attacks came after local vigilantes killed a notorious bandit kingpin and some of his men, taking their rifles.
A resident told Daily Trust that the bandits accused Dandallah, Tudu Gabas and Unguwar Majidadi of supporting the vigilantes.
“What transpired is that the bandits suspected the three villages of conniving with the local vigilantes, who killed the bandits’ kingpin and his boys,” he said.
According to him, “There is a serious enmity between the vigilantes and the bandits, with each group trying to kill the other. The bandits banned the communities from farming completely for the last two years,” he said.
He said nine people were killed in Dandallah, two in Unguwar Sarkin and one or two in Tudun Gabas, while others were injured.
Another resident said 80 to 90 per cent of people in the three villages fled to Dansadau town.
“Eighty to 90 per cent of the people of the three villages fled to Dansadau. Women and children were all over, and our people provided them with food and shelter,” he said.
Residents also said bandits attacked Dangurgu, while Dandallah, Gobirawa and Madada remained under their control.
A resident said security personnel had no access to the villages. Another confirmed that bodies of 10 victims were recovered from Dandallah, Madadah and Gobirawar Kwacha.
