Zamfara: Bandits Kill Two, Kidnap 40 in Maradun

In a tragic attack on Saturday night, bandits killed two people and kidnapped approximately 40 others in Janbako, a community in Maradun Local Government Area, Zamfara State. This village is notably the hometown of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.

Residents reported that the majority of the abductees are women and children, underscoring the vulnerability of the community. The assault occurred just a week after the release of 10 captives, following the payment of a ₦10 million ransom, according to local sources.

Ibrahim Haru, a resident, recounted the harrowing incident, stating that the bandits fired indiscriminately as they stormed the village. In the aftermath, a headcount conducted on Sunday revealed that around 40 people were missing. Haru confirmed that the two individuals killed during the raid were Malam Isah and a teenage boy, both of whom were trying to escape the gunfire.

Despite the presence of local security forces, the bandits managed to carry out the attack, heightening concerns over the increasing frequency of such assaults in Maradun. Residents expressed frustration, lamenting the growing insecurity in the area.

Maradun, which is home to Minister Matawalle, the former governor of Zamfara State, has seen a surge in violent attacks, raising questions about the effectiveness of local security measures.

Zamfara State Police spokesperson Yazeed Abubakar told reporters that he had not yet been briefed on the incident.