Gunmen kill 70 in Zamfara

Gunmen kill 70 in Zamfara

GUNMEN struck Cigama village of Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara State, on Saturday, killing over 70 people while several others sustained injuries. The terror act happened barely 24 hours after the same group killed six people at Kokiya village, also in Zamfara State. Reliable source disclosed that the armed bandits attacked Kokiya village shortly after the congregation prayer in Kokiya Central Mosque, on Friday.

 Source affirmed further that the gunmen arrived Kokiya in dozens on Friday and were conveyed by Hilux vehicle while others rode on motorcycles. “They stormed the community and opened fire on visible persons in the village,” the source said. According to the source, members of Cigama, a neighbouring community, came to rescue the villagers as they forced the gunmen to beat a retreat. Retaliating, the gunmen attacked Cigama village on Saturday and killed over 70 people. Speaking on the attack, chairman of Birnin Magaji Local Government Area, Muhammad Bala Gusami, said he could only confirm the death of 30 people as of Sunday. He said more bodies were being recovered within and outside the community, while he described the incident as inhuman, barbaric and unhealthy. When contacted, the state police imagemaker, Sanusi Amiru, confirmed the attack, but declined to give details of casualties. He disclosed that a joint security taskforce comprising the police and military had been deployed in the affected areas.