By Pascal Oparada
Tomorrow, December 25 is Christmas. Many all over the world are brazing up for the event, buying, selling and giving out gifts to those who are badly in need both Christians and non Christians alike. That is the spirit of Christmas.
But the case in Zamfara is different. The state is in the throes of bloody killings. Rather than harvest of joy, show of love and kindness and sermon for peaceful coexistence, residents are being mowed down with lethal weapons, leaving scores of persons dead and mourning and whailing taking over the joy that Christmas brings at this time of the year.
Many protesters are feared killed as they alleged blockage of roads by the Nigerian army.
According to eyewitnesses, some of those killed are refuges. One account said the military shot at the protesters, thereby killing three and wounding several others.
Amnesty International, in a series of tweets, said the situation in Zamfara has degenerated and almost out control of the security operatives.
The organisation called Zamfara State government to stand up and defend the lives of innocent citizens.
According to the organisation, about 50 people were killed “in Birnin Magaji, Maradun and Tsafe LGA’s in two weeks, as rampaging gunmen murder & maim rural communities.”
Trouble stared when a group of armed men stormed Magami village of Maradun Local Government Area, Zamfara State and opened fire on those praying in a Mosque.
The victims were attacked and killed along with Alhaji Aliyu Abbas, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain.
On Saturday around 4:30pm, the bandits, numbering 20, on motorcycles, armed with sophisticated weapons surrounded Magami village.
