23 killed as Fulani traders, vigilante group clash in Zamfara

About 20 persons have been killed in a clash between Fulani traders and a vigilante group in Dansadau, Maru LGA of Zamfara state.

Witnesses said the killings were a reprisal attack for the death of three people at Ruwan Tofa and the rustling of cattle.

According to The PUNCH, Mohammed Nuhu, a resident of the area, said some bandits attacked Ruwan Tofa, killed three people, including a member of Yansakai, a proscribed vigilante group, and rustled cattle.

Nuhu said the rustled cattle were then put on sale at Dansadau Market, where the Yansakai members from Ruwan Tofa had coincidentally gone in search of the stolen animals.

He said the vigilante group went berserk when they saw the stolen cattle and killed at least 20 traders in the village.

“Immediately they sighted some cows, they became wild, saying they were the stolen animals and wanted to know who had brought them to the market,” he said.

“They were shown three Fulani people who claimed to be the owners of the animals; they killed them and reclaimed their cows.”

Another indigene of the area identified as Alhaji said all pleas to security agents to come to their aid were not heeded.

“We have begged the government and security agents to come to our rescue, but up to this moment there are no security personnel in the whole area,” he said.

Zamfara has been a flashpoint of banditry and kidnapping. The federal government had banned mining activities in the state to curb the spate of banditry.