In a fresh attack, armed bandits in large numbers have killed 21 people in Bunkasau village in Zarummai ward of Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The armed bandits were reported to have besieged the community of Bunkasau village, riding on motorcycles and firing at residents.

The assailants also abducted several people, mostly women and children, and carted away animals in the area.

A resident of the area told our correspondent that the attackers arrived in the community on Friday night with sophisticated weapons.

“It’s unfortunate, we woke up on Saturday and discovered many of the residents were killed, at least no fewer than 21 were killed, and we are still looking for many people that were not discovered; they were displaced following the attack.”

According to him, 21 people were buried after their funeral prayers in a mass burial at a neighbouring community.

“Please, in tears, we appealed to the authorities, particularly the state and federal government, to deploy more troops in our area.”

When contacted, the Zamfara State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, confirmed the incident, adding that the number of those killed was yet to be specified.

“The command has deployed more adequate personnel, saying normalcy has since been restored in the area.” (Nigerian Tribune, but headline rejigged)