Gunmen sack 13 communities in Zamfara

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

At least 13 communities under Mada town, in Gusau local government area of Zamfara state were reported to have been sacked by suspected gunmen, who launched attack on Fegin Mahe village last Tuesday, with residents of the areas presently taking refuge in a primary school at the suburb of Gusau, the state capital.

The chairman, Gusau local government council, Alhaji Lawalli Mada, whose representative spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity, said a threatening number of gunmen invaded Fegin Mahe village, raped a large number of women at gunpoint while those women who resisted were forcefully inserted units of batteries into their private parts as punishment.

He narrated that the rustled several cattle as well as other livestock in an operation that lasted for four hours unchallenged. According to him, the Gusau local government council had facilitated the admission of over ten women into hospitals across the state capital for the removal of batteries out of their private parts, the situation he said had claimed one of the victim’s life during the medical treatment.

He further claimed that more villages, including Wonaka, Fegin Kanaya, Dingwai, Fura Girke, Lafiya, Akuzo, Nawaje, Doka, Unguwar Mata, Gundungyal, Kyankyashe and Totari were also terrorised by the same group, the situation that compelled the inhabitants to flee their villages for safety.

A survivor, identified as A’isha Ibrahim, who hails from Fegin Mahe village, where reports revealed that at least 19 people were killed during the attack, said several women at the refugee camp could not ascertain the whereabouts of their husbands since the attack. She further reported that their men were hunted and killed by the invading gunmen.

The state Commissioner of Information, Ibrahim Muhammad Birninmagaji, who spoke with newsmen at the refugee camp, confirmed the incident, saying an 11-man committee has been set up, under the Chairmanship of the Speaker House of Assembly, Sanusi Garba Rikiji, to assess the level of assistance the displaced communities need.