Again, rampaging bandits have attacked communities in Wanke, near Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State, where they abducted no fewer than 100 citizens and took them into the bush.
This is just as another band of terrorists in the early hours of Tuesday killed 10 persons in Wayam community of Sabon-Gari District in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.
During the invasion of Wanke, women, children and the aged, including the Chief Imam, who was treating leg injury, were among the victims abducted.
“This is the second time the Imam was abducted,” a source noted.
The State government and the Police were yet to react to the incidences. However, a survivor told the BBC Hausa Service in an interview monitored by our correspondent, yesterday, that the affected communities were under siege and people were migrating for fear of further attacks.
“Near Sabon Layi, over 50 persons were taken away, and near Dagon Hayi about 50 persons were also abducted,” he alleged.
He said they were still counting, since some of the locals were terribly frightened and ran for safety.
“The terrorists were chasing people as if they were chasing animals. It was quite a disturbing scenario, watching how people were being chased.
“They were chasing them on motorbikes, they traced women to their houses and abducted them. Some were even intercepted while running away and were herded like animals to the bush.
“These terrorists attacked Gira, Ruwa Kusa, Dogon Hayi and Gidan Kado communities, where they stole motorcycles, farm produce and phones. They burgled shops and stole provisions.
“Officials at Wanke were informed but no action was taken as at now, that we can confirm.”
He alleged that they’ve been having these attacks on their communities for the past nine years.
“We are being faced with this calamity and had even migrated to Gusau and other places. There are no animals here, anymore.
“Once night falls, everyone would be deeply worried as sleeping in the communities would be extremely dangerous.”
According to the BBC Hausa report, efforts to get police reaction on the incidents were not successful.
Sources said that the attack on Wayam community of Sabon-Gari District in Rafi LGA of Niger State occured when the terrorists stormed the community on motorcycles in their numbers, shooting sporadically which created panic and pandemonium.
They were said to have killed three persons and slaughtered two women who refused their sexual advances, while five others died of bullet wounds hours later.
The gunmen set houses and food stuff of the villagers on fire before departing.
A source from the community who did not want to be mentioned by name when contacted, said the community is currently deserted as residents had fled following the attack.
About six months ago, bandits attacked Madaka community, a few kilometres from Wayam, and killed about 60 people.
The Niger State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, could not be reached for response at the time of filing the report.