Twelve members of a family lost their lives during a brutal attack by suspected bandits in the village of Gidan Taba, located in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The incident occurred on Saturday night, as disclosed by the council chairman, Sanusi Dosara.
The victims, which included a father, his wives, and young children, had sought refuge in a room when the attackers arrived. According to reports, the armed men demanded the occupants open the door; when they refused, the attackers set fire to the area surrounding the room. Mr. Dosara noted that the intense heat generated by the fire was responsible for the fatalities, rather than direct contact with flames.
In addition to the tragic deaths, several residents were abducted by the attackers. Local vigilantes attempted to intervene, leading to an exchange of gunfire that resulted in the rescue of some captives. However, the exact number of those abducted remains unclear due to ongoing tension in the area.
Conflicting reports exist regarding the circumstances of the attack and the death toll. While Mr. Dosara indicated that twelve people were killed, other sources provided differing numbers. For instance, LEADERSHIP reported eleven fatalities, while a conflict reporter suggested that thirteen individuals, including the family of Muhammadu Sani, were killed. There is also ambiguity regarding whether the family was locked inside the room for safety or confined by the attackers.
Mr. Sani, reportedly associated with local vigilante efforts to combat crime, was specifically targeted due to his anti-banditry activities, according to local residents.
This incident follows another deadly assault in the region just days earlier, which claimed the lives of at least eight security personnel, including five police officers. The Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed ongoing efforts to track down those responsible for these violent acts.
