Zamfara Governor Abdulaziz Yari confirmed the killings
President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the deployment of more security personnel to the state
At least 38 people have been reported killed by bandits in Birnin Magaji Village in northwestern Nigeria’s Zamfara State.
Zamfara Governor Abdulaziz Yari confirmed the killings on Thursday following earlier attacks on two other villages by the bandits believed to be cattle rustlers.
The attacks happened less than two weeks since President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the deployment of more security personnel to the state.
Security laws
“Not a single additional security man has reported to the state and so the bandits have continued to unleash terror on innocent citizens,” Mr Yari said.
The governor lamented that although Zamfara had spent huge resources on security in the last seven years, he did have the powers to discipline erring security officers under his jurisdiction.
He said he would soon request the National Assembly to change the security laws.
The Zamfara police command also confirmed the death of 10 people in the attack in Dutsen-Wake and Oho Villages in the state.
Had already fled
The state police spokesman, Mr Muhammad Shehu, on Wednesday said the bandits attacked the two villages on Tuesday at 10pm (local time).
“We received distress call yesterday that the bandits attacked the area around 10pm. We quickly responded by mobilising policemen to the area.
“When they arrived in the area, the bandits had already fled to Rugu forest bordering Zamfara and Katsina State,” he said.
Mr Shehu further said the Zamfara state police command had already mobilised security personnel to maintain peace in the area.
