Bandits have reportedly killed no fewer than 23 farmers in Sauna/Ruwan Gora community, Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
A resident, who pleaded anonymity, said the bandits initially passed through the village at about 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday without attacking anyone.
“The bandits passed through our village around 2:00 p.m. without harming anybody. People were even counting the number of motorcycles conveying them,” he said.
But he added that the attackers later returned and opened fire on farmers working on their farmlands, chasing down those who attempted to flee.
“They killed 23 people. They attacked them on their respective farms, pursued those who ran for safety and killed them,” he said.
The source disclosed that preparations were underway for a mass burial of the 23 victims on Thursday.
“We have prepared the bodies of the 23 victims for a mass burial today,” he added.
The residents appealed to Governor Dauda Lawal and the Federal Government to urgently strengthen security in the area to protect lives and property.
“If farmers continue to be killed and kidnapped, Zamfara State will definitely experience a food crisis,” the resident warned.
Another resident, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed the death toll could be as high as 25, saying efforts were still ongoing to determine the exact number of casualties.
“The bandits returned and attacked the village around 3:00 p.m. yesterday. We are still compiling and tracing those who lost their lives,” he said.
Police in the state had yet to issue any statement as of the time of filing this report.
