ZAMFARA: 60 buried as death toll rises in attacks across villages

CONTRARY to the initial reports that the attacks launched on six communities across the state by armed bandits were a one-off that claimed 30 lives, it’s now clear that such have been sustained for two days.

The death toll indeed rose to 60; and the victims’ remains have since been buried.

Residents now live in fear of another series of attacks as they believe their assailants are lurking around the villages.

Some of the residents said the whereabouts of some of their relatives were unknown as of the time of filing this report.

Some of the casualty figures, according to residents, are Kangon Farimana village, 11; Ruwan Dawa,  21; Madaba, 9; Arzikin Da, 6;  Mai rai rai, 2;  Gidan Maza, 1;  Unguwa Malam, 1;  Katohin, 1;  Mai Aya Aya, 1; Kunkelai, 2;  Mai Kogo, 2; Gobirawa, 2; Ruwan Rana, 1.

“We buried seven of the victims here in Magami. There are some individuals that are still missing and nobody knows whether they were killed or not,” a resident was quoted by Daily Trust to have said.

Meanwhile, President Buhari has condemned the attacks and warned the criminals behind the dastardly acts across the state that would be tragically mistaken to think the government lacks the capacity to deal decisively with them.

Buhari said “these criminals should stop pushing their luck too far by believing that the government lacks the capacity to crush them.”

The President also  directed the military, security and intelligence agencies to take immediate steps to close all existing gaps in their operations being exploited by criminals to wreak havoc.

He expressed hope that the Special Operation launched by the military at 3 am yesterday from Maru Local Government area will prove decisive in ridding the state of the “frequent and horrifying “bandit activities.

“The violence against poor villagers who are struggling with poverty and other severe economic challenges is not going to be tolerated by this administration,” the President warned.