More than one hundred people were on Wednesday kidnapped as armed bandits attacked Wanke Village near Gusau, Zamfara State capital. The victims included women, children, and the elderly.
It was gathered that among the kidnapped victims was the Chief Imam of the community who was reportedly recently freed following a previous kidnapping ordeal and was recovering from a leg injury.
In an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, a survivor who reportedly described the panic and chaos that gripped the affected communities, said many residents fled to Gusau, the state capital, for fear of further attacks.
The survivor was quoted as saying, “In Sabon Layi, over 50 people were abducted, and in Dogon Hayi, another 50 or more were taken.”
The survivor added that the exact number of captives remained unclear due to the confusion and mass escape of the villagers who fled for safety.
“The attackers chased us like prey. They pursued people on motorcycles, tracked down women in their homes, and kidnapped them. Some were caught while trying to escape and were dragged into the bush,” the survivor added.
The bandits were said to have targeted several villages, including Gira, Ruwa Kusa, Dogon Hayi, and Gidan Kado.
They also stole motorcycles, farm produce, and personal belongings such as smartphones, and looted shops for food items.
Local residents reportedly alerted officials in Wanke about the attacks, but no official response has been forthcoming.
The survivor expressed the despair of the community, which has endured these brutal assaults for nearly nine years.
“There are no animals left here,” he said, adding, “When night falls, fear sets in, and it has become too dangerous to stay in these communities overnight.”
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from state authorities or the police regarding the attack.
SaharaReporters tried to get the comment of the police command in the state but efforts made to reach the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Yazid Abubakar, failed as his mobile line could not be reached when it was called.
