..Abduct residents, force villagers to flee
Bandits have launched fresh coordinated attacks on multiple communities in Zamfara State within the last 48 hours, abducting residents, looting properties, and forcing terrified villagers to abandon their homes in droves.
According to reports, the latest incidents occurred in Ƴan-Uku community, under Garbadu Ward, Talatan-Mafara LGA, and spread to neighbouring villages, including Farin-Dutse.
A resident, who spoke to newsmen on condition of anonymity, said his elder brother, identified as Muhammadu Lakada, was abducted at about 8 p.m. on Tuesday after returning from the market. According to him, the attackers had robbed Lakada days earlier, stripping him of his shoes, cap, and new clothes before returning to carry out the abduction.
The fresh wave of attacks has triggered mass displacement as villagers flee to neighbouring towns and even out of the state entirely.
It was gathered that the terrorists returned yesterday evening in broad daylight, raiding Farin-Dutse and other surrounding settlements at about 5 p.m., abducting more people and moving them into the bush without resistance.
Residents say security forces remain largely absent as terrorists operate freely, plunging communities into fear and forcing locals to live like displaced persons in their state.
The Zamfara State Police Command Spokesman, Yazid Abubakar, was unavailable for comment at the time of filing this report, having not responded to calls or text messages.
