In a harrowing development in Zamfara State, bandits launched another attack on communities in Wanke, near Gusau, abducting over 100 residents, including women, children, and the elderly. Among those kidnapped is the Chief Imam of the community, who had recently been released from a previous abduction and was recovering from a leg injury. This incident marks the second time he has been targeted, highlighting the severe and ongoing insecurity in the area.
According to local reports, neither state authorities nor police have issued statements regarding the incident. In an interview aired on BBC Hausa Service, a survivor recounted the terrifying scene in Wanke, where residents fled for their lives in fear of further attacks. He reported that over 50 people were abducted near Sabon Layi and an additional 50 near Dogon Hayi, although the exact figures remain uncertain due to the widespread panic.
The survivor described how the assailants, riding motorbikes, chased people "like hunting animals," pursuing women into their homes and capturing them, while others who tried to flee were intercepted and herded into the bush. The attack affected multiple communities, including Gira, Ruwa Kusa, Dogon Hayi, and Gidan Kado, where the bandits stole motorcycles, farm produce, and personal items such as smartphones, and looted shops for provisions.
Despite desperate calls from community members to officials in Wanke, no official response has been made. The survivor lamented that the area has endured such attacks for nearly nine years, with many residents seeking refuge in Gusau and other safer locations. He noted the increasing fear that grips the communities as night approaches, rendering overnight stays perilous.
Efforts to obtain comments from police on the matter have so far been unsuccessful, as reported by BBC Hausa, leaving residents grappling with insecurity and the urgent need for intervention in Zamfara State.
