Armed bandits have killed at least 35 people and abducted 40 in Maradun and Maru local government areas of Zamfara state.
The attack comes two weeks after 36 miners were killed in Bindin village, also in Maru local government area.
According to Daily Trust, dozens of armed men riding on motorcycles stormed the villages, and opened fire on residents.
The newspaper said seven people were killed at Yan’ kamoji, nine at Sabon Gida, 11 at Tubali and two at Kaya village.
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Two policemen and four civilians were also killed when 40 people were reportedly kidnapped after the bandits intercepted about seven trucks conveying traders to Magami market.
“They killed two mobile policemen and four civilians on board. They abducted about 40 traders, including women and children and dashed into the forest, firing gunshots into the air,” Daily Trust quoted a resident as saying.
Murtala Mota, another resident, said the attackers were heard saying they would not release those abducted until their herds of cattle seized by security operatives and the vigilante group known as Yan Sakai, were returned.
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“We are calling the phone numbers of the abducted traders and the bandits would answer in a very harsh tone. They are threatening to kill the kidnapped residents if their demands are not met,” he said.
The newspaper said Muhammad Shehu, spokesman of the state police command, could not be reached for comment before filing the report.
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