Gunmen Storms Zamfara Village, Kills 36

Gunmen Storms Zamfara Village, Kills 36

The attack was a reprisal against the villagers for intercepting a suspected cattle rustler, who was caught with stolen cattle and sheep

Tragedy orchestrated by gunmen in Birane Village in Zurmi Local Council of Zamfara State on Wednesday, left 36 people dead.

The death of the 36 villagers has sparked outrage on social media, as Nigerians accused Government officials of downplaying the attack with no reaction from them.

However, the Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Muhammad Shehu, claimed the attack was a reprisal against the villagers for intercepting a suspected cattle rustler, confirmed that 18 people died in the attack.

It was gathered that hunters from Birani village of Zurmi local government area, intercepted and accosted a herder in the bush with some suspected stolen cattle and sheep.

“The herder abandoned the animals and escaped into the bush, but unknown to the hunters, the cattle rustler went to Isah Local Government Area of Sokoto State and mobilised bandits to attack the hunters.

“On Feb. 14, the bandits ambushed the hunters in the bush and there was a clash that led to fatalities on both sides.

“Police/Military and other sister agencies reacted by combing the bush and its environs to salvage the situation and discovered 18 dead bodies.

“It is believed that the bandits took away their own members that were killed. Meanwhile, bush combing is in progress so as to further profile the area.

“Mobile policemen/Special forces and other security personnel from other sister security agencies have already been deployed to the area to restore peace and stability,” he said.

The Nation reported that following posts on social media about the latest tragedy to befall the state, North west of Nigeria, the spokesman further disclosed that the command’s Intelligence Unit had already embarked on investigation to arrest the perpetrators of the attack.

On the death of the villagers, Twitter user @amkareto tweeted;

Bodies of the 36 people killed by Armed bandits in Birani Zurmi local government area of Zamfara State laid to rest.

My take: This is not a news to the Nigerian Media because it dnt happen in Benue, Taraba or Adamawa

@Olusegunverdict tweeted;

Someone from Zamfara called me about these killings last night. It’s just so tragic that bandits seem to have overpowered the capacity of the State. It’s just so sad that we seem helpless these days…