Four Killed, 150 Abducted In Recent Zamfara Bandit Raid

Four Killed, 150 Abducted In Recent Zamfara Bandit Raid

Bandits in Zamfara State have perpetrated a horrific attack in Dan Isa village, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, resulting in the deaths of four individuals and the abduction of 150 others, including two infants aged six and eight months.

According to a resident who spoke anonymously to Daily Trust, the bandits descended on the village around 3 pm on Sunday, July 14, and terrorized the community for six hours. They arrived on approximately 150 motorcycles, each carrying three assailants, and unleashed gunfire indiscriminately, forcing residents to flee for safety.

“My wife, Na’imah, and our six-month-old child, Sudais, were among those taken. Additionally, my brother’s wife, Aisha, and her eight-month-old baby were abducted. Many women and children were seized during the onslaught,” the resident recounted.

Another witness, identified as Muhammad Auwal, disclosed that Hajiya Rakiya, the wife of Wamban Dan Isa, Alhaji Bello Halilu, was abducted along with several women sustaining injuries at Mr. Halilu’s residence. He further mentioned that two wives of Wamban Dan Isa’s younger brother, Malama Luba and Malama Talatu, were also forcefully taken.

“I heard that Malam Musa Ajiya managed to escape, but his wife, Suwaiba, and Shafi’u’s wife, his younger brother, were among those abducted from his home,” he added.

Aminu Bello Dan Isa, another eyewitness, attributed the attack to a gang led by the notorious bandit Alhaji Shehu Bagiwa. While Bagiwa himself reportedly did not participate directly, survivors identified his lieutenant, Aminu Baka-da-dadi, as the leader of the raid.

“Some women who escaped returned with severe injuries, including fractured limbs, after being subjected to beatings in the bush by the bandits before managing to flee,” Dan Isa stated.

In the aftermath of the assault, fear has gripped Dan Isa village, prompting residents to flee to safer locales such as Kasuwar Daji, Rawayya, Gyambarawa, and Gusau, leaving the once vibrant community deserted.