Tragic events unfolded in the Kanoma district of Maru Local Government Area in Zamfara State as bandits carried out three separate attacks, resulting in the loss of 25 lives.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the armed assailants targeted a prominent vigilante leader, Dahiru Dangamji, along with three of his trusted lieutenants, whom they trapped in a forest located 5km south of Kanoma town, mercilessly shooting them dead.
Residents revealed that the vigilante leader had been a prime target for the bandits for an extended period, with the armed criminals meticulously planning their assault.
A resident revealed, “The news of the killing of the vigilante leader filtered into the community. Shortly afterwards, dozens of armed vigilantes mobilised and headed to the forest to confront the armed criminals and avenge the killing of their leader.
“But the gunmen who were informed that the vigilantes were coming into the forest laid an ambush and shot dead 16 of them. However, casualties were also recorded on the part of the armed men. Reports said more than ten of them were killed. But, this cannot be independently verified.
“The armed criminals thereafter moved to a goldmine near the Danzara community and shot dead five artisanal miners. The bodies of the slain miners and the vigilantes are being scooped from the forest for burial.
This newspaper reports that the gravity of the situation has left the Kanoma community on edge, as reports indicate the presence of armed men approaching the town, potentially for another attack.
In light of these events, residents urgently appeal to security operatives to swiftly intervene and neutralise the looming threat.
This newspaper learnt that despite efforts to obtain a statement from the Zamfara State Police Command’s spokesperson, ASP Yazeed Abubakar, he was unreachable at the time of reporting.
