Bandits kill 50 in fresh Zamfara, Katsina attacks

Gunmen in Zamfara State have killed at least 33 people in different parts of the state in the latest onslaught in that part of the country.

Another gang of bandits in the Northwest killed 17 residents in Katsina State on Friday night.

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In Niger State where bandits have continued to terrorise the people, the government yesterday slammed curfew on two local government areas as part of the efforts to check banditry and protect the citizens.

Some of the victims of the Zamfara Friday attack were allegedly killed as punishment for the failure of their community to pay the N40 million security levy imposed on them by the bandits, according to online publication, Premium Times. 

Attacked were Nasarawa Mai Fara in Tsafe Local Government Area, Yar Katsina in Bungudu Local Government Area and Nasarawa village in Bakura Local Government Area.

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About 20 were killed in Nasarawa alone. The victims include the chief imam of the area, Akilu Dan Malam.

A survivor who asked not to be named for security reasons said residents had already converged for the Jumat prayers on Friday when the gunmen struck, causing the congregation to break up immediately.

The levy was allegedly imposed by Ada Aleru whose gang lords it over the area up to Faskari in neighbouring  Katsina State.

An unspecified number of residents, many of them women, were abducted during the raids.

Katsina attack claims 17 lives

Seventeen people were killed in the other attack by bandits in Karfi Ward in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Several others were injured when the bandits opened fire as soon as they invaded the area at about 11pm on Friday.

Efforts by the federal and state governments to stop banditry in the Northwest, including deployment of security personnel, have failed so far.

Niger govt slams curfew on two LGs

The Niger State Government yesterday imposed curfew on Shiroro and Rafi local government areas following the renewed terror attacks in the two areas.

Some lives were lost on account of the raids.

The state government said the curfew was necessitated by intelligence that bandits were moving into the state in large numbers.

It was learnt that residents of Rafi and Shiroro were told to remain indoors from 5 pm yesterday until further notice.

Military patrol has been increased in places like Kuta, Gwada and Zumba.

The Chairman of Shiroro Local Government Area, Alhaji Suleiman Dauda Chukuba, confirmed this development, saying anyone found violating the curfew would be treated as a terrorist.

The Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Internal Security, Emmanuel Umar Bagna, confirmed that government had imposed curfew, saying that the measure would help in flushing terrorists out of the state and expose invaders.

The Commissioner appealed to the communities to cooperate with security agencies as they try to restore peace to the area.

Only last week, gunmen invaded Allawa, Shiroro LGA, setting ablaze a secondary school in the town.

The school served as camp for security personnel deployed in the area to protect the people.

The bandits also ransacked the military armoury.

Police confirm 27 deaths in Zamfara

The Zamfara State Police Command however confirmed 27 deaths in the  attacks on  Nasarawar Mai Fara and Yar Katsina.

The State Police Public Relations Officer , SP Muhammed Shehu told  Channels Television by  phone that  military men have been deployed to Yar Katsina in the aftermath of the raid.

“Brigade Commander and the commissioner for Security Mamman Tsafe visited the village yesterday and accessed the existing security arrangement in the community and to build the confidence of the locals,” Shehu  said.

But the Police spokesperson said the command was not aware of any levy imposed on the community by bandits.

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