29 Killed, 58 abducted across Taraba, Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger and Benue States.
By Ezinwanne Onwuka
A family in Zamfara State locked themselves inside their home, hoping to keep marauding bandits out. But when the gunmen failed to force their way in, they set the house ablaze, burning all 12 family members to death, from the young to the old.
It was only one of the horrors recorded in Nigeria this past week. At least 29 people were killed and 58 others abducted in attacks across Taraba, Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger and Benue states. The victims included a pregnant woman, a soldier, a local hunter, a Christian pastor and schoolchildren.
Pregnant Woman, Soldier and Hunter Killed in Northeast
Suspected bandits killed a pregnant woman, a Nigerian soldier and a local hunter during attacks on two communities in northeast Taraba State on Tuesday, November 3.
The gunmen also abducted more than 15 residents.
The attackers stormed Taraba State’s Kuka Sarkin Yamma and Ruwan-Zafi communities in Karim-Lamido County around 4 p.m., opening fire and abducting residents from their homes.
Soldiers and local hunters pursued the gunmen in an attempt to rescue the victims. However, the attackers killed a soldier and a hunter during the pursuit. They also shot and killed a pregnant woman in Ruwan-Zafi. Security personnel reportedly rescued some of the abductees.
The attacks came amid growing insecurity in Karim-Lamido County. PREMIUM TIMES reports that armed groups have imposed movement restrictions on eight communities: Kommodoro, Telejugu, Paskari, Farin-Ruwa, Dinya, Jamaga, Macijin Kirya and Chibi.
Community leader Tanko Bobbo told the newspaper that the gunmen regularly raid the communities, loot shops, seize farm produce and intimidate residents.
He also alleged that the armed men sexually assault women and threaten to kill anyone suspected of reporting their activities to security agencies.
22 Killed, At Least 27 Abducted in Northwest Attacks
Eight security personnel were killed on Tuesday, November 3, when suspected bandits ambushed a vehicle carrying police officers and members of the Zamfara Community Protection Guard near Gidan-Giye village in Tsafe County, Zamfara State.
The attackers opened fire on a 15-seat bus traveling along the Sokoto–Gusau route. According to local media, five police officers and three members of the state-backed security outfit died in the attack.
Police recovered five officers’ bodies and rescued seven others. Two wounded officers received medical attention. The attackers also reportedly seized five AK-47 rifles and abducted an unspecified number of officers.
The security team was heading to provide protection for the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigeria’s ruling party, senatorial primary election in Zamfara North when the gunmen struck.
Days later, another attack in the state left 12 members of a family dead after bandit-terrorists set their home ablaze in Gidan Taba village, Maradun County.
The attack happened on Saturday night, November 7, in Dosara Birnin Kaya Ward. The assailants reportedly targeted the family of Mallam Muhammadu Sani, who had locked themselves inside a room in an attempt to escape abduction.
A resident told local media that the attackers discovered the family hiding inside and ordered them to open the door. When they refused, the gunmen set the room ablaze, killing all 12 occupants.
Seven other residents were reportedly abducted during the attack, although local vigilantes managed to secure the release of some captives following an exchange of gunfire.
Earlier in the week, on Wednesday, November 4, armed bandits had struck Akwando village in Kuturmi, Kachia County, Kaduna State, shortly after midnight, killing two residents and abducting 20 others.
The Kuturmi Unity Development Association identified the dead as Irimiya Galadima, 41, and Benjamin Danlami, 32. The association also released the names of the 20 people taken during the raid.
The association said repeated attacks had forced residents to abandon their homes and farmland. It also accused armed groups of restricting access to ancestral farmland and demanding payments before allowing residents to cultivate or harvest their crops.
15 Pupils Abducted, 4 Killed in North-Central
At least 15 pupils of Madarasatul Nurul Islam were abducted by bandits in Maikujeri community, Rafi County of Niger State, on Saturday, October 31. The pupils are aged between 9 and 14.
The children were reportedly returning from their teacher’s farm, where they had been harvesting maize, when they stopped at a borehole to wash and drink water. It was there that the bandit-terrorists appeared and seized them.
The head teacher of the school, Aminu Mallam Bako, said the bandits contacted the school to ask whether the children attended a government school offering Western education.
According to him, the abductors claimed they had been told that the school belonged to the government — a claim he said was incorrect.
He added that despite explanations that it was a community-owned Islamic school, the gunmen insisted it was a government institution offering Western education.
On Tuesday, November 3, bandits attacked Abeda Shitile community in Logo County, on the northeastern border of Benue State, killing four people and injuring five others.
The gunmen arrived on motorcycles as traders and community members were preparing to close the market for the day and opened fire.
Among those killed was Pastor Terungwa Hungwa. The other deceased victims were identified as Msoo Chan, Suurshater Iornumbe, and Terkimbi Ikyereve.
Local residents suspected that the assault was a retaliatory strike by the armed gang following the killing of a notorious militia leader known as “Swaga” by security forces a few weeks prior.
Ezinwanne Onwuka is a conflict reporter for TruthNigeria.
