No fewer than three soldiers and five villagers lost their lives following an attack by bandits in Kabasa village of Zamfara State.
The victims were killed while repelling bandits’ attack in Magami District, Gusau Local Government Area of the state.
A source who confirmed the incident to Channels TV yesterday said the bandits were engaged in a fight with the people of Kabasa village who came out in their large numbers to protect themselves when the bandits entered their village.
“The bandits and the villagers fought for more than three hours before the military men who were stationed in Magami town came to the scene for help,” he said.
The bandits also lost many of their members but they took away their dead bodies.
Reacting, the Zamfara State Government expressed shock at the reported attack by the recalcitrant bandits who unleashed mayhem on innocent people in Kabasa village.
In a statement by the state Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Dosara said, “The Executive Governor is saddened and disturbed by this sad event and strongly condemned it which led to the loss of lives in the village.”
The governor also extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and prayed to God to grant the souls of the departed, eternal rest.
“The government has already directed security agencies in the state to carry out a full investigation into the incident and report back to the government for action.”
Meanwhile, the standing committee for the assessment of damages constituted by the state government has been instructed to visit the community to assess the level of damages inflicted on the community.
People of the affected community in particular and the state in general, are also advised to remain law-abiding and go about their normal businesses.
All efforts to get comments from Operation Hadarin Daji proved abortive.
