Zamfara: Bandits burn 11 family members locked in one room to death, abduct 14 others

Zamfara State Police have confirmed that bandits killed 11 members of one family and abducted 14 others in Gidan Taba village, Dosara Birnin Kaya Ward, Maradun Local Government Area, Radio Nigeria and Arise News report.

Police spokesman DSP Yazid Abubakar told Radio Nigeria the attackers targeted an extended family compound in search of a local vigilante member who had actively resisted their operations. The family of one Malam Muhammadu Sani locked themselves inside a room, which the bandits set on fire, killing all 11 occupants, he said.

The attack reportedly happened on Saturday night. Arise News reported that the attackers gathered the household in one room, and that Sani, a member of the local vigilante group, was targeted because he had denied the bandits freedom to operate in the area.

Abubakar said tactical operatives, working with sister security agencies and local vigilantes, have intensified search and rescue efforts to safely retrieve the abducted victims and restore peace to the area. He said operatives were on the trail of the assailants.

A resident of the community told Radio Nigeria the attackers invaded the village at midnight, shooting sporadically and breaking into houses. He described the attack as a night of terror, and said the victims were buried after funeral prayers led by the community Imam, with several bodies burnt beyond recognition.

The residents appealed to the Federal and Zamfara State Governments, as well as security agencies, to urgently step up protection in the area, stressing that law-abiding citizens should not be left at the mercy of criminal elements.