Bandits attack Zamfara community, burn four residents alive over refusal to pay levies

Four persons were burnt to d3ath and several others injured when armed bandits attacked Gwargwabe village, Nahuce District in Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State. 

According to the district head, Kekun Nahuce, Alhaji Sulaiman Marafa, the attack was carried out because the villagers refused to pay “levies” to the bandits, choosing instead to protect their community.

The assailants had initially stormed the nearby Karakkai community at about 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, firing sporadically and causing panic among villagers. 

The villagers were said to have resisted the initial attack and forced the bandits to retreat from Karakkai. 

However, the attackers later moved to Gwargwabe village, where they set several houses on fire. 

As a result of the arson, four persons were burnt to d3ath, about 10 animals and no fewer than 50 grain silos were also destroyed. 

Three other residents sustained gunshot injuries during the attacks. 

On Friday morning, joint security and emergency responders visited the affected communities to assess the situation. 

The injured victims were taken to a hospital in Nahuce for medical treatment, while efforts are ongoing to support the affected families and restore calm to the area. 

The victims, three men and one woman, were buried on Friday. 

Meanwhile, the Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, who confirmed the incident said the government is investigating the delay in the arrival of security operatives after the attack was reported.

The Governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mani Malam Mummuni, at funeral prayers and burial of the victims, pledged the government’s continued commitment to taking all necessary steps to end banditry in the state. 

In a statement signed by Shehu Adamu Gusau, the Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Lawal urged residents to accept the incident as an ‘act of destiny’, adding that a military base will be established in Gwargwabe to curb further attacks.