Armed men killed at least ten people on Saturday, residents said, when they attacked the Ruwan-Tofa community in Dansadau district of Zamfara State’s Maru Local Government Area.
Maru, alongside Talata Marafa, is the same local government that was attacked by the armed men on June 2 and 3, during which 21 people were killed.
The latest attack was confirmed by the police in Zamfara.
State police spokesman, Mohammed Shehu, said the attack killed 10 people. He also said security agencies are working with the state government to maintain peace in the state.
Residents said the attackers numbering about 200 stormed the community, shooting sporadically on over 100 motorcycles and killing people at will. They also stole hundreds of livestock, the residents said that for security reasons they asked not to be named.
The attack took place about 6 p.m. on Saturday. During the attack which resulted in the injured being taken to Dansadau hospital within the local governemnt, a resident said, the gunmen faced no challenge from security operatives. Some of the victims died in the hospital and were part of the 10 deaths from the attack recorded.
The attack occurred a few hours after a statement circulated by the Zamfara police promising increased security in Maru local government and other parts of the state.
See below the press release by the Police on Saturday afternoon.
In an effort to stem the tide of criminal activities especially unrepentant bandits who refused to embrace the culture of peace in the state, the Zamfara State government in concert with Zamfara State Police Command under the leadership CP Usman Nagogo psc+ and 1 Brigade, Nigerian Army Gusau headed by Brigadier General O. M. Bello have constituted and deployed a joint operational squad compromising of the Police, Army and Civil Defence to BINDIN district of Maru LGA.
The deployment of the operational team was aimed at complementing the existing security emplacement in the area. The eighty (80) man joint squad was unvieled today by the Commissioner of Police and the Brigade Commander respectively.
While briefing officers and men deployed for the operation, CP Usman Nagogo urged them to discharge their duty with all sense of professionalism and commitement. He called on them to set aside issue of inter agency rivalry, instead they should work as a team. He appreciates the state government under the leadership of His Excellency Dr Mohammed Bello Matawalle for providing logistical support such as operational vehicles and welfare of the security agents deployed to carry out the operation.
The Brigade Commander on the other hand, called on the operatives to be more conscious of their personal safety and security, work as one family and avoid issue of rivalry.
Communities of the area who turned out en mass to receive the security personnel thanked the state government and the security agencies especially the Commissioner of Police for their commitment of their safety and security. They promised to contribute to the success of the operation.
SP Mohammed shehu
PPRO
For:- Commissioner of Police
Zamfara State Police Command
Gusau
