Terrorists Raid Zamfara Village For 3 Days, Set Houses On Fire

Over 600 residents of Kodi village in Bukuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Northwest Nigeria are currently displaced following a three-day raid by terrorists on their village. 

HumAngle learnt that the terrorists, who attacked the village on Wednesday, June 8, sustained their onslaught through to the morning of Friday, June 10 with houses  and grain reserves in the community set on fire.

It was not immediately clear how many persons were killed during the attack.

“We are suspecting that this armed group of terrorists are not just mere bandits but an offshoot of Boko-Haram or Jihadist members who are invading our villages, communities, and settlements,” Ali Roka, a resident of Kodi village told our reporter.

Residents who escaped the attack said the terrorists came in the morning and night since Wednesday.

They said that the assailants burnt down houses, silos, and shops on Thursday, while they also rustled livestock, including about 200 goats. 

Musa Garba, a resident said a group of terrorists who attacked the village Friday morning rode on motorcycles and ransacked a settlement known as Garkar Hakimi. 

“Residents have already run away from the village,” Garba told HumAngle.

Alhaji Ummaru Hakimi, head of the community said the terrorists were chanting Arabic words, ‘Allahu Akbar’, meaning God is Great.

“Their tone and accent suggested that they were Fullo. They hold dangerous guns, firearms and ammunition hung up on their shoulders with rag-tags rounded up from their heads to necks,” Hakimi said. 

Isah Mai-Shago, 31, who lost his house, five silos, and three shops to the fire set by the terrorists, said “our women and children including the old are now displaced and abandoned.”

But the Village Head Hakimi said there was no intervention from any of the government agencies when the attack lasted.

“For God’s sake, with all these being done to us, nobody in the government or security agencies cares to visit, condole or console us. The Nigerian government and those close to us in government abandoned us like used pampers,” he lamented. 

Residents said the latest attack was the worst among the 13th so far recorded in the area without any help from the government or security agencies. 

Malam Kabiru, the Chief Imam of Kodi village told HumAngle that residents have not enjoyed the presence of the government in their community.

“There is absolutely nothing like the government presence in our village alongside six other neighbouring communities. We have never had or enjoyed any government project or services at all levels in our village. So, it could be hard for us to get security operatives’ response in all our areas despite several complaints,” Kabiru said. 

Muhammadu Maifaci, 47, who witnessed all the attacks has not found his two sons and a daughter. His wife died during the attack. 

“I do not know where my 2 sons and a daughter have run to since the day we were terrified, terrorised, and displaced. My wife was already killed. I am on my third day searching for my children across major towns in Gummi, Bukuyum, Zuru and Ribah local government areas of Zamfara and Kebbi States.”

Houses to ashes

HumAngle observed that no fewer than 23 houses including huts, silos, and shops were razed by the terrorists during the attack. 

At the moment, over 600 households and residents have moved out of Kodi village to metropolitan areas of DakiTakwas, Gummi, Bukuyum, Maga, Ribah, Zuru, and Gurusu, and other places looking for what to eat, and shelter.

Alhaji Bashiru Muawiya, Sole Administrator of Bukuyum Local Government Council, told HumAngle that authorities were aware of the attack.

“I am well aware of the sad development in my Local Government Area and I’m presently at the state headquarters for immediate response and necessary actions against the terrorists who are fond of dehumanizing our people,” Muawiya said. 

“I have reported to the State Deputy Governor, Sen. Hasan Nasiha, and it would soon be treated squarely.” 

Police in the state said they have mobilised a tactical unit to the affected community. 

“We have already mobilised our tactical unit for reinforcement and it is presently deployed to the affected areas for proactive measures against any impending attack by the terrorists,” Mohammed Shehu, police spokesperson in Zamfara State Police told our reporter. 

He added that “we are presently studying the situation for more fruitful proactive measures”.