Defense and Security
Bandits Burn Family Alive, Kill 12, Abduct Residents in Zamfara Attack
Armed men suspected to be bandits have killed 12 members of the same family and abducted several residents during a deadly attack on Gidan Taba village in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The attack reportedly occurred on Saturday night in Dosara Birnin Kaya Ward, where the assailants allegedly set a room ablaze after members of the family locked themselves inside in a desperate attempt to escape abduction.
According to a source in the community who spoke to Vanguard, the victims were members of the family of one Mallam Muhammadu Sani, who had reportedly gathered his relatives in a single room to protect them from the attackers.
The source said the gunmen ordered the occupants to open the door but, after they refused, set fire around the room, killing all 12 people trapped inside.
Several other residents were also reportedly abducted during the attack. However, the exact number of those taken away by the assailants had yet to be confirmed.
The bodies of the 12 victims were buried on Sunday morning in accordance with Islamic rites.
The latest incident adds to growing security concerns in Zamfara State, particularly around the busy Gusau-Sokoto road, where commuters and residents have continued to face threats from armed groups.
Vanguard reports that residents have condemned the killings, describing the attack as barbaric, while calling on security agencies and the Zamfara State Government to intensify efforts to protect lives and property.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
