For the umpteenth time, bandits again attacked Anka Local Government Area, this time Zanoka village in Bawar Daji, of Zamfara State, killing 23 persons in cold blood even as herdsmen shot dead three persons in Plateau State.
Coming barely one week after the killing of 26 people in the same local government, the gunmen, described as cattle rustlers, were said to have been resisted by a vigilante group called Yakassi, but got reinforcement and attacked the village, killing the 23 people.
A source from Anka who pleaded anonymity told Sunday Telegraph, that the armed bandits who all rode on motor bikes numbering about 20 entered Zanoka village at about 4:30 pm where they killed the people.
The source explained that the bandits all brandishing sophisticated weapons surrounded the village and started shooting sporadically at the villagers, and after dispersing them, burnt down the entire village
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mohammed Shehu, confirmed the attack on Zanoka village, but said only 15 people were killed by the bandits.
He explained that efforts were underway to contain the situation as Police Commissioner, Kenneth Ebrimson, has deployed policemen to the area, even as other security agents have moved operatives to the area to arrest the ugly situation.
The beleaguered state has seen repeated attacks since 2011, a carnage which had increased in recent times leaving hundreds dead.
In another development, no fewer than three persons were killed in Kurra Falls village in Gashish District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State yesterday, by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.
Sunday Telegraph gathered that the gunmen attacked the community, shooting sporadically resulting in the death of three persons namely Dawala Bullet, 30, Fidelis Richard,31, and Iliya Doro, 60, residents of the same building.
Confirming the attack, the Plateau State Police Command Public Relations Officer (ASP) Tyopev Terna, told our correspondent that the command received the information on Saturday morning at about 0700hrs that the residents of Kura Falls were attacked Friday night at about 2130hrs and early hours of Saturday morning
Terna said investigation into the incident was ongoing in order to arrest the perpetrators and ensure they face justice.
It would be recalled that two persons were also killed in Nkiedongowo of Miango District, in Bassa Local Government of the state about three days ago.
Meanwhile, the Movement for Nigerian Greatness (MNG), has urged the the Federal Government to declare the killer herdsmen across Nigeria as terrorist group, specifically charging President Muhammadu Buhari to match his words with action against the killings of people in Benue State.
The National President of the group, Collins Oniobo Ofogor, assisted by the National Secretary, Okonkwo Chukwuma Chris, in Asaba yesterday, flayed the ongoing massacre by herdsmen in the Middle-Belt, including the murdering of two Catholic priests and 17 parishioners during a holy mass at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Benue State on April 24, 2018.
While they called for a decisive action from the presidency, they kicked against the earmarking of N1 billion for Islamic education, they wondered why the Federal Government was foot-dragging killer herdsmen menace
“Federal Government should be quick to declare the killer herdsmen as terrorists irrespective of their ethnic, religious or political affiliation, just as it did to the unarmed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Once it is done, Nigerians will begin to sense the impartiality in handling of separatist sects.
.new telegraph
