The Emir of Maru in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Abubakar Maigari, escaped lynching when bandits in large numbers invaded his palace in an attempt to kill him.

An Indigene of the town Mohammed Bawa told City Round that the Emir managed to escape but one of his guards was killed on the spot while others were injured.

Bawa further explained that the bandits also returned to the town last Thursday looking for the Emir and when they could not see him they moved from house to house where they killed four people.

Bawa said, “The bandits invaded the Emir’s Palace and opened fire sporadically in an attempt to kill the Emir but he escaped mysteriously. They killed one of the palace guards and damaged all the vehicles in that place.

“The bandits had also returned to the town last night and when they could not see the Emir again, they moved from house to house looking for him, and in the process, they killed four people. Their funeral prayers have been conducted today Friday according to Islamic injunction.”

Meanwhile, the state government has announced the closure of the popular Maru market for fear that the bandits could attack the people today Friday being the market day.

In a statement, the state Commissioner of Information, Munnir Haidara, said, “Following the security situation in Maru town the state government has closed down the Maru market until the security situation is improved.” (Saturday PUNCH: Text, Excluding Headline)