World · Africa · 7 hrs ago
Gunmen kill a security volunteer’s relatives and abduct residents in Zamfara
Gunmen attacked Gidan Taba village in Zamfara state, in northwestern Nigeria, on Saturday night.
Police said they killed a local security volunteer and 10 relatives, while the local council chairman put the family death toll at 12.
The accounts differ on how many people were killed and how the family died; the chairman said fire trapped them in a room, while police said the attackers killed them and burned their home.
The volunteer belonged to a government-backed vigilante group and had helped security forces resist armed gangs.
The attackers may have targeted him for opposing their operations, according to police and a local resident.
Gunmen abducted residents, but accounts disagree on the number; police said 13 people were taken, while the council chairman said the figure was not confirmed.
Security forces are working to secure the hostages’ release, and local vigilantes reportedly rescued some captives after an exchange of gunfire.
Gunmen attacked Gidan Taba village in Zamfara State, northwestern Nigeria, killing family members and abducting residents.
Maradun council chairman Sanusi Dosara said 12 family members were killed, while police reported 11 deaths, including a local security volunteer.
The attackers set fire to a room where the family had taken refuge, according to Dosara.
Accounts differ over how the family came to be inside the room and the number of people killed.
Dosara said local vigilantes intercepted the attackers and rescued some captives after an exchange of gunfire.
- Who
- Suspected bandits attacked a family and other residents. The victims included a local security volunteer, according to police.
- What
- Family members were killed and residents were abducted. The chairman reported 12 deaths; police reported 11.
- When
- Saturday night, according to the council chairman.
- Where
- Gidan Taba village, Maradun Local Government Area, Zamfara State, Nigeria.
- Why
- Police said the volunteer had repeatedly helped security forces fend off criminal gangs. A local resident said he was targeted for disrupting the group’s operations.
Maradun council chairman Sanusi Dosara
Zamfara State police spokesperson Yazid Abubakar
Death toll
Maradun council chairman Sanusi Dosara
Dosara said 12 family members were killed.
Zamfara State police spokesperson Yazid Abubakar
Abubakar said a security volunteer and 10 of his relatives were killed, for a total of 11.
How the family died
Maradun council chairman Sanusi Dosara
Dosara attributed the deaths to intense heat from a fire set around the room.
Zamfara State police spokesperson Yazid Abubakar
Abubakar said the attackers murdered the volunteer and 10 family members and set their house on fire.
At least eight security personnel were killed in an ambush near Gidan-Giye village in Tsafe Local Government Area, according to Reuters.
Gunmen attacked Gidan Taba village, according to the Maradun council chairman.
Dosara led funeral prayers for the victims and said local vigilantes rescued some captives.
Police spokesperson Yazid Abubakar said the attackers killed a volunteer and 10 relatives and that security forces were working to secure the hostages’ release.
- Location
- Gidan Taba village, Maradun Local Government Area, Zamfara State
- Council chairman’s death toll
- 12 family members
- Police-reported death toll
- 11 people, including a security volunteer
- Abductions
- Police reported 13 people abducted; the chairman said the exact number was not established
- Attack timing
- Saturday night
2 sources
What people are saying
They considered him an obstacle to their activities