Bandits Impose N50m Levy, Burn 12 Vehicles, Sack 3 Villages In Zamfara

Bandits have reportedly imposed a N50 million levy on residents after sacking three villages and setting ablaze 12 vehicles in the Dansadau axis of Zamfara State, displacing over 300 residents.

The levy was imposed following a separate deadly ambush on Gwashi-Nasarawa Road in Bukkuyum local government area of the state, where at least 22 persons, including four soldiers, were allegedly killed.

The member representing Bukkuyum in Zamfara State House of Assembly, Hon. Hamisu Faru, who confirmed the Bukkuyum attack, said the victims were ambushed on Sunday while the soldiers were on duty in the area.

He said the corpses of some of the victims were yet to be recovered as of press time.

Also confirming the incident, the information officer, “Operation Fansan Yamma”, Lt-Col. Aliyu Danja, told LEADERSHIP yesterday that the military casualties were confirmed.

In the Dansadau attack, the bandits were said to have razed villages and burnt vehicles before demanding the N50 million levy from the affected communities.

Meanwhile, the Zamfara State chapter of the National Democratic Congress, NDC, has condemned the attacks and described the security situation in the state as deteriorating.

In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its Publicity Secretary, Kassim Almustapha Kayatawa, the party commiserated with the families of the victims, including the fallen soldiers.

“The NDC Zamfara State chapter, under the leadership of Alhaji Surajo Garba Maikatako, condemns in strong terms the barbaric attacks in Dansadau and Bukkuyum and mourns the victims,” the statement said.

The party called on the Federal Government and the Zamfara State Government to urgently deploy more security personnel to vulnerable communities in Dansadau, Bukkuyum and other flashpoints, and to adopt a comprehensive strategy to address banditry.

The NDC also criticised Governor Dauda Lawal over his reported trip to Ethiopia at a time the state was mourning, urging him to return home and take charge of the security situation.

It said, “While the people are being attacked, the governor is said to be in Ethiopia as part of a federal government delegation. We call on him to cut short the trip and return to address the security challenges.”

The party further urged security agencies to intensify operations to restore peace and prevent further loss of lives and property.

Efforts to get the reaction of the state Police Command were unsuccessful as at press time.