Gunmen believed to be bandits have launched a deadly midnight attack on Tashar Katuru, a settlement in Jangebe community, Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State, abducting dozens of residents, mainly women and children, and burning several shops.
The Chairman of Muryar Talata Mafara, Comrade Kabiru Jangebe, disclosed that the assailants stormed the community at about 1:13 a.m. on Monday, wielding what he described as sophisticated weapons.
“The bandits came with sophisticated weapons. They opened fire on the community. And the villagers were running helter-skelter,” he said.
Jangebe added that one resident was shot in the leg during the invasion, while the attackers looted and destroyed businesses within the area.
“The bandits set many shops ablaze and carted away property, including medicine.”
“They set three big provisions stores and other small shops ablaze after they carted away properties.”
“Almost none shops were set ablaze. The incident has thrown the community into serious confusion as many ran into the bush. As I am talking to you now, 48 people are missing including women, children and nursing mothers.”
According to him, the attack lasted for more than two hours, during which security operatives were overwhelmed by the firepower of the assailants.
“The security personnel came, but they couldn’t confront the bandits as the gunmen were with sophisticated weapons. The security can’t engage the bandits because they are using machines.”
Confusion initially surrounded the exact number of abducted villagers, as authorities were unable to immediately provide an official figure.
An elder of the community, who requested anonymity, said efforts were ongoing to determine the actual number of missing persons.
“I don’t know the figure, but I have spoken to the senior District Head and he told me that he doesn’t know the actual number of the people kidnapped; but I directed them to go from house to house and collect the data of the missing people and compile the actual data,” he said.
He further explained that the assault took place between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. on Monday.
“Based on the information I got, the incident occurred around 2:00am to 3:00am Monday morning.”
“Army responded to the distress call from Anka; they came with armoured car and chased the bandits, but the bandits diverted the attention of the security using torch lights and sporadic shooting towards Makera area in Jangebe village, where the army were busy defending the other area; while another bandit gang was at Tashar Kuturu.”
“The Zamfara local security outfit, Askarawan quickly went to Tunkar Kasara in advance to block the bandits, but an informant allegedly told the bandits to take another direction; and the Askarawan Zamfara traced them up to Dangulbi village; but up now their hideout has not been made known.”
Following a house-to-house assessment, villagers later revised the number of abducted persons.
“The villagers also later confirmed that house to house search put the number of the kidnapped victims at 22, out of which 5 are nursing mothers, one adult while the rest are children, but one boy escaped.”
“They burgled only two shops and carted away smart phones and confiscated the bags of two people.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Talata Mafara Local Government Area, Hon. Yahaya Abubakar Yari, confirmed that 23 people were abducted during the attack.
Yari said the terrorists struck Tashar Kuturu at about 2:00 a.m. on Monday.
“The actual figure of the kidnapped victims in Tashar Kuturu is 23, and the bandits shot a mad man on the legs and hands. He is currently receiving treatment.”
He also revealed that the bandits carried out another attack on Matura village in Kagara district on Sunday, abducting three persons and killing one resident.
Hon. Yari added that 22 victims remain in captivity and assured that efforts are ongoing to secure their rescue.
Attempts to get a reaction from the Zamfara State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, declined to comment on the incident.
