Bandits Set Family Ablaze, Kill 12, Abduct Several Residents in Zamfara
By Mohammed Ismail
Suspected bandits have reportedly killed 12 members of a family after setting their residence ablaze during a deadly attack on Gidan Taba village, Dosara Birnin Kaya Ward, Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Several other residents were also reportedly abducted during the attack, which occurred late Saturday, leaving the community devastated and in mourning.
The victims were said to be members of the family of one Mallam Muhammadu Sani, who reportedly gathered his wife and other relatives in a room in a desperate attempt to shield them from the armed assailants.
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A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the attackers discovered the family hiding inside the locked room and ordered them to open the door.
However, after the occupants allegedly refused to comply, the gunmen set the building on fire, trapping and killing all 12 family members.
The source said the incident was particularly devastating as the victims had reportedly sought refuge in the room to avoid being abducted by the attackers.
Apart from the 12 people burnt to death, the assailants were also said to have taken away an unspecified number of residents during the raid.
The exact number of abductees could not be independently established as of the time of filing this report.
The remains of the 12 victims were reportedly buried on Sunday morning in accordance with Islamic rites.
The tragedy has thrown the bereaved family and residents of Gidan Taba into mourning, amid renewed concerns over the worsening security situation in parts of Zamfara State.
As of Sunday, neither the Zamfara State Government nor the state police command had issued an official statement confirming the incident or providing details of the casualties and abductions.
