Seven Soldiers, Others Killed In Fresh Bandits’ Attack In Zamfara

No fewer than seven soldiers were reportedly killed in a fresh confrontation with bandits in Zamfara State.

It was gathered that the bandits had invaded Kangon Garacce, a community in the Dangulbi district of the Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara, on Monday, killing scores of people.

A resident of the Dangulbi community, Lawal Dangulbi, who spoke to newsmen on the latest attack, said the Nigerian Army troops responded to a distress call about the attack on the community but were ambushed while coming for the rescue mission.

“The bandits divided themselves; some were attacking the community while some were stationed outside the community to prevent the military from assisting the villagers; they ambushed the troops and killed seven of them,” the resident told Channels Television on Tuesday.

According to him, no fewer than 20 residents of the community were killed during the attack.

Although the Nigerian Army authorities in Zamfara State are yet to comment on the incident, a security source who is familiar with the situation but preferred anonymity because he is not authorised to speak, confirmed that seven officers of the Nigerian Army were killed during the attack on Monday.

Naija News reports that Zamfara is one of the states in the Northern region of the country worst hit by banditry. Others include Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger and Sokoto.

Besides carrying out attacks, the bandits also carry out mass abductions for ransom in North-West and Central Nigeria, holding their captives in camps hidden in vast forests that stretch across the region.

Despite efforts by security agencies and the respective state governments, the gunmen have continued to wreak havoc, killing many.