Suspected armed bandits weekend killed 16 people and injured 18 others at Dumama community in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, the lawmaker representing Zurmi/Shinkafi in the House of Representatives, Husseini Moroki, has confirmed.
One person was also confirmed killed, while another declared missing in the volatile Kajuru district of Kaduna State. Several houses were also razed.
Moroki said of the Zamfara attack: “Just yesterday (Friday) by the time election materials were being distributed, I was at Zurmi INEC office where I got a report that there is an incident of banditry attack at Dumama community.
“Sixteen people were killed, while 18 sustained high degrees of injuries; four among them have been referred to Federal Medical Centre Gusau.”
He said the attack caused panic among residents and it was resolved among the political parties and the electoral commission to move the polling units in the area to secure places within the Zurmi Local Government Area.
The attack in Zurmi is coming less than a week after over 30 local businessmen returning from a market in Shinkafi Local Government Area were ambushed and killed by suspected armed bandits.
The lawmaker said, despite the attack on the eve of the election, the turnout was impressive in the area.
“I went round to over 90 per cent of the polling unit. I saw how people are conducting themselves in an orderly manner in obedience to the officials conducting the election.
“The process is satisfactory, I noticed something very imperative which is the voters’ turnout, it increased significantly above the presidential and parliamentary elections,” Mr Moriki said.
The attacks in Zamfara have continued despite the reinforcement of many security units by the federal government.
Whiling commenting on the issues of insecurity in Zamfara, the Defense Minister, Mansur Dan-Ali, on Saturday, shortly after casting his vote at his hometown in Birnin Magaji, said the federal government was looking forward to establishing a helicopter landing base at either Birnin Magaji or Shinkafi Local Government Areas so that any time there are security concerns, the helicopters can be used for surveillance.
“You can’t have all what you want at a time. There’s no nation that is 100 per cent secured. We’re facing the insecurities challenges in the country adequately and squarely with the innovation of President Muhammadu Buhari because he has the political will and he intends to see that everywhere in this country is well secured,” said Dan-Ali.
He also called on people to play their part in securing their lives and property, saying security was everybody business.
“We don’t expect the soldiers or the police to come and guard your own home, in those days where we have local guard securing our communities notifying suspicious movement of people and reporting to the traditional rulers, we need to revive that pattern for our home security,” he said.
Meanwhile, one person has been confirmed killed, while another declared missing in the volatile Kajuru district of Kaduna State.
The state government in a statement confirmed the incidence but assured that security agencies were on top of the matter.
It was gathered that one Danbuzu Nemi was reportedly killed by unknown armed men when he went to the farm.
Worried by his failure to return from the farm, a search party was said to have been arranged by the villagers who came under attack by armed men.
Four out of the five members of the search team escaped, while one was declared missing.
The Kaduna State Government confirmed the attack at Ungwan Barde community and extended its sympathy to the community and the families of the victims.
In a statement issued by Samuel Aruwan, media assistant to the Kaduna governor, the government appealed for calm in the area.
He said: “Heads of security agencies in Kaduna State have informed Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai of an attack on Ungwan Barde community by unknown bandits, today, 10th March 2019. The government condemns this violent attack and extends its sympathy to the families of the victims and the entire community.
“The security agencies have informed the governor that measures are being taken to contain the situation and to secure the general area. More troops have been deployed to the community, while the Nigerian Air Force personnel are carrying out aerial surveillance and reconnaissance.
“The security agencies will provide further updates. The Governor has also directed the State Emergency Management Agency to proceed to the community for immediate assessment and delivery of relief materials. The government appeals to all our communities to do their utmost for peace and harmony.” the statement said.
