By Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
Fleeing bandits have reportedly massacred no fewer than 200 persons in Anka and Bukkuyum local government areas of Zamfara State.
The bandits were said to be fleeing due to the ongoing military offensive in the state.
Feelers said the fleeing bandits were trying to leave the state with large number of animals when they attacked some villages in the two local government areas, killing over 200 people in the process.
The attacked villages are Rafin Danya, Barayar Zaki, Rafin Gero and Kurfa.
An indigene of the area, who gave his name as Mohammed Kurfa, said he was in his village when the bandits stormed the area.
Kurfa said they came with over 3,000 cattle and were trying to leave the state when members of a vigilante group tried to engage them in a gun duel.
“When they were seen approaching the village, the vigilante group members came out to defend the people of the village, but they were overpowered by the bandits, who were moving in large numbers.
“They killed many of the vigilante group members and also set the village on fire and killed many people, mostly women and children.
“The other neighbouring villages of Rafin Danya, Barayar Zaki and Rafin Gero were also attacked at the same time and it was discovered that more than 200 persons lost their lives,” Kurfa told Daily Trust.
An eyewitness, who spoke to the BBC Hausa Service, said three villages, Rafin Danya, Kurfa and Rafin Gero, were completely burnt down by the bandits.
It was also gathered that the villages suffered heavy casualties with few people remaining in the villages taking cover in different directions.
No official statement from the Zamfara State Commissioner for Security, Mamman Tsafe, yet.
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