Troops kill 11 bandits, lose 3

• As bandits’ kill 5 villagers in Zamfara attack

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

Troops of Operation Sahel Sanity have succeeded in killing 11 recalcitrant bandits as they foiled an attack on Kabasa village in Magami district under Gusau local government area of Zamfara State Tuesday evening, as the troops lost a Major, two soldiers and five villagers.

An eyewitness identified as Shu’aibu Dan Gwamma revealed that, the bandits had surrounded the village at around 4:30pm of Tuesday with intention to abduct innocent villagers for ransom purpose just as the troops drove in to the area on their normal ‘Attack Prevention Patrol’.

“I have retired for the day at around 3:30pm from the bush for firewood works while heading to my village which is a trekking distance, I just sighted the bandits on over a hundred of bikes coming to my village too.

“I quickly took hide and the next thing was unpleasant sounds of gunshots which I believed was between the bandits and the concern people from my village who stood to protect selves from the merciless attack.

“As the gun battle continued, just then I saw the troops coming in to arrest the situation, the bandits learnt that the troops were coming to the area and before they knew it, the bandits ambushed and opened fire on the troops while the troops also heavily responded.

“I was encouraged by seeing the bandits had gradually withdrawn as they carried away 11 corpses of their members on bikes, they finally disappeared into the thick forest while the troops embarked on hot pursuit after them.

“Later, when it was calmed, I reached my village and saw three corpses of Soldiers and five dead bodies of our people been killed by the bandits as seven others injured. And prior to the attack, some of our people said the noticed the bandits’ movements at a nearby bush”, Dan Gwamma further narrated.

Confirming the incident in a statement by the Zamfara State Commissioner of Information, Ibrahim Magaji Dosara, said the State Government has on Wednesday morning, shockingly received the sad information about the attack.

Dosara further informed of condolence by Governor Bello Matawalle (who was out of the state for official commitments) especially to the families of the deceased persons and the entire good people of the state.

“Governor Matawalle urged good people of the state to remain law abiding and go about their normal businesses as he directed the security Chiefs in the state to ensure total control of the situation, continued protection of innocent lives and property”, the statement added.