Over 50 people were reported to have been killed in Gidandawa District of Maradun Local Government Area in Zamfara State, while many others were injured following a reprisal attack on Monday on the residents by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
The attackers reportedly invaded the area at about 5am when the residents were getting ready to start the day’s fasting, killing anybody on sight.
Although no reason was given for the killings, security sources told Vanguard that the attack must have been a reprisal, as some Fulani herdsmen had issues with the villagers.
Eyewitnesses told Vanguard that about 40 persons who died on the spot were buried in a mass grave and in accordance with Islamic rites, even as more bodies were later discovered from the bush.
A witness, who gave his name as Musa, said: “We heard heavy gunshots that were loud enough to wake everybody from sleep early this morning (yesterday).
“The gunshots were also coming from the direction of Maradun, which is not too far from here.
“However, later, we started bringing in corpses of men, women and children who were allegedly killed by the invaders.
“This was early in the morning.”
The Police Public Relations Officer for the state Police Command, DSP Lawal Abdullahi, confirmed the incident.
Lawal said only seven people were killed in the attack, contrary to what was being speculated.
He said: “Actually it happened, but not like you said about the casualties.
“However, it is not good for anybody or groups to take the laws into their hands.”
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