Bandits Burn 11 Family Members Alive, Abduct 14 in Zamfara

By Uzair Adam

Eleven members of an extended family have been burnt to death, while 14 others were abducted after armed bandits attacked Gidan Taba Village in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The Zamfara State Police Command confirmed the incident on Sunday through its Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar.

Abubakar explained that the attackers invaded an extended family compound while searching for a local vigilante member who had reportedly resisted their activities in the area.

He said the bandits attempted to abduct the vigilante and members of his family, prompting relatives of one Malam Muhammadu Sani to take refuge in a room and lock themselves inside.

However, the assailants reportedly set the room ablaze, killing all 11 occupants.

The police spokesperson said tactical operatives, working alongside other security agencies and local vigilantes, had intensified search and rescue operations to secure the release of the abducted victims and restore peace to the community.

A resident said the attackers stormed the village around midnight, shooting sporadically and breaking into houses.

He described the incident as a night of terror, adding that the victims were buried after funeral prayers led by the community’s Imam.

According to the resident, some of the bodies were burnt beyond recognition.

The residents appealed to the Federal Government, Zamfara State Government and security agencies to urgently strengthen security in the area, warning that innocent citizens should not be left vulnerable to attacks by criminal elements.