By Abdullahi Abdulrahaman Chakwa, Gusau
Suspected bandits have killed a number of safety personnel, merchants and members of a neighborhood vigilante group in separate assaults on a gold mining website.
Security operatives and residents informed Daily Trust that the assaults occurred in Bindin village in Bungudu Local Government Area, alongside the Dansadau street in Maru LGA, in Gwashi district of Bukkuyum LGA, and round Damba on the outskirts of Gusau, the state capital.
In Bindin, a resident claimed that 9 troopers and three cellular policemen have been killed when suspected bandits attacked a mining website and a army camp in the realm.
The resident, who spoke to Daily Trust on situation of anonymity, blamed the assault on infamous bandit chief Gwaska Dankarami, who reportedly operates round Dangulbi in Maru LGA, Bindin in Bungudu and elements of Bagege in Anka LGA.
According to him, the assault was a reprisal after miners resisted an try by certainly one of Dankarami’s males to impose the group’s guidelines at a gold mining website outdoors its space of management.
He mentioned the miners killed the bandit, prompting Dankarami and his males to launch an assault on the mining website.
“Gwaska Dankarami went to the mining site and killed people haphazardly,” the resident alleged.
He mentioned the mining website was near Bindin village, forcing folks fleeing the assault to hunt refuge in the group, the place the assailants reportedly pursued them.
“When he attacked the mining site, the people ran to the village for safety, and the bandits followed them,” he mentioned.
The resident mentioned the precise variety of casualties remained unsure as a result of our bodies have been nonetheless being recovered from mining pits and surrounding bushes.
“Nobody can tell the actual number of people killed because some were even killed in the pits. As I speak to you, many bodies are being discovered, and I believe others will still be found either at the mining site or in the bush,” he claimed.
He additional alleged that 9 troopers and three cellular policemen have been killed when the bandits attacked a safety camp in the realm.
The resident mentioned it was not the primary time Dankarami had attacked a army place there, recalling an alleged assault final yr in which two or three troopers have been killed.
He claimed that the bandit chief initially refused to launch the corpses however ultimately did so after appeals.
The newest incident, he mentioned, had heightened worry amongst residents, notably amid reviews that the army was contemplating relocating its personnel from Bindin to Dangulbi.
“What we are hearing is that the military base is preparing to relocate to Dangulbi village. This has thrown the people into fear and uncertainty over their continued stay in Bindin, despite the local dialogue and reconciliation that had previously taken place,” he mentioned.
Traders ambushed on Dansadau street
In a separate incident, merchants travelling in direction of Dansadau in Maru LGA have been reportedly ambushed by bandits, who set about 12 autos ablaze.
A resident, who additionally spoke on situation of anonymity, mentioned the assault occurred a day after troopers found improvised explosive units (IEDs) alongside the street.
He mentioned the invention apparently led some travellers to imagine that the route was secure, prompting them to renew their journey.
According to him, the convoy got here below assault at a bit of the street the place development work had but to start.
“The bandits attacked them, and people opened the cars and ran for safety. Others were killed, while some survived the attack,” he mentioned.
The resident alleged that the assailants had laid an ambush and set about 12 autos on fireplace, destroying them.
The incident got here after tons of of commuters have been reportedly stranded at Magamin Maitarko for greater than eight days, ensuing in substantial losses of perishable items and livestock.
A dealer recognized as Muhammad Salisu Dansadau lamented what he described as the shortage of sufficient safety assist for merchants travelling to their communities.
He mentioned extended delays had led to the lack of tomatoes, pepper and livestock, whereas some travellers turned unwell and others have been decreased to begging.
He, nonetheless, recommended residents of Magamin Maitarko for offering stranded travellers with meals, water and shelter.
“We are grateful for the hospitality of the people of Magamin Maitarko. They gave our people food, water and shelter for days, but their supplies have now been exhausted,” he mentioned.
Eight safety personnel, 12 civilians reportedly killed in Gwashi
In one other assault, suspected bandits reportedly ambushed merchants travelling from Gwashi district to Gurusu market in Bukkuyum LGA alongside a convoy escorted by safety personnel.
A resident alleged that eight safety personnel and 12 civilians have been killed, whereas a number of others sustained accidents.
He mentioned the safety personnel killed comprised 5 troopers, two cellular policemen and one officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
However, casualty figures supplied by residents differed, with one other supply placing the variety of safety personnel killed at 9.
The assault reportedly disrupted actions on the Sunday market in Gurusu, leaving merchants and residents terrified of additional violence.
A resident, whereas acknowledging the braveness of safety personnel working in the realm, known as on the federal government to offer them with higher gear to confront the attackers.
“As a matter of urgency, provide bulletproof vehicles to the military at the Anka-Bukkuyum axis. Our soldiers are brave, but they are exposed. How can they fight enemies with superior arms in open Hilux vans?” he requested.
Bandits kill vigilantes at Kaikaice
Meanwhile, suspected bandits have reportedly killed 4 members of a neighborhood vigilante group often called Askarawa in Damba district of the outskirts of Gusau, whereas one different member sustained gunshot wounds.
A resident mentioned the vigilantes have been attacked at a village known as Kaikaiche, close to Karazau, after allegedly being tracked by the assailants.
He suspected that informants might need disclosed the vigilantes’ actions to the attackers.
According to him, the group had visited the realm to reap rice the day past and returned safely earlier than the assailants allegedly laid an ambush for them on their second journey.
He mentioned the vigilantes have been accompanied by two labourers, bringing the variety of folks in the group to 5.
The resident alleged that 4 folks have been killed, whereas one survived with gunshot wounds.
He added that residents spent a day and an evening looking for one of many lacking victims earlier than his physique was ultimately discovered across the Yandoto axis.
Police, army but to remark
Efforts by Daily Trust to acquire affirmation from the Zamfara State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, have been unsuccessful as of the time of submitting this report.
Attempts to achieve the Acting Army Information Officer on the Joint Task Force North-West Headquarters, 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Gusau, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, have been additionally unsuccessful, as his telephone was unreachable.
