Terrorists Stranded At River After Killing Over 30 In Kebbi

Terrorists on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 killed over 30 persons in Maga ward in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area (LGA) of Kebbi State, Northwest Nigeria and would have gained access to neighbouring Zamfara communities but for the flooding of the Yarkuka River.

The gang, numbering about 200, had attacked nine Kebbi settlements at about 9:30 a.m. WAT. They were on a mission from Dajin Gando and Fasagora forests of Zamfara State, also in the country’s Northwest. 

They laid siege to settlements such as Tungar Me Samari, Koliko, Tashar-Gayu, Iroma, and Tungar-Danyaki communities. 

Other villages affected include Makarantar Nadabo, Tungar-Doruwa, Sami Boka, Tungar-Taro, ‘Yar-Danko, and Antare, all located in Maga ward, Danko-Wasagu LGA of Kebbi State.

Zayyanu Mamman, 32, who was in his farm at Tasa village, told HumAngle that the terrorists attacked from Zamfara forests, either from Gando forest or Fasagora terror camps.

“In fact, I saw for myself nine fresh dead bodies in Tasa while I was on the run from the village,” Mamman said.

Ibrahim Samuel, another local who narrowly escaped death in Tasa, narrated: “When I ran away from Tasa, I coincidentally met with our vigilante group chairman, Mr Joseph, and told him that he had to move immediately because I saw the terror group ransacking and killing people and would likely follow the route to where he was. But he refused, so they met him and killed him too.”

Again, “Abdullahi, Timothy and Yunana Bello were among the nine I saw killed by the terrorists,” Mamman added. 

“Presently, as I speak to you, the gang left our villages moving back to their Zamfara forest dens but could not pass through Yakuka village because the river flooded there and blocked them from crossing.

“Go there at the river bank and see for yourself, you will see heavily armed terrorists group with hundreds of rustled animals waiting for the flood to subside.”

Another resident added that the terrorists left behind the cattle they had rustled in order to get away by canoe. 

HumAngle reached the Tasa village head but he made no response as tears rolled down his cheeks.

This incident is sequel to multiple attacks foiled by the Nigerian army on Tuesday, June 14, in other northwestern communities.

The Nigerian army of Lel’na barrack, 223 battalion had collaborated with local vigilantes of Zuru Emirate in Kebbi State, Mamman Doso, one of the vigilante members told HumAngle.

Areas affected included Sibari, Tungar Dan yaki, Tungar dako, seme, ‘yar jannah, K’bala, Ch’Fasa, and Tadurga villages of Danko-Wasagu LGA of Kebbi State.

“Scores of them [terrorists] were killed while a huge number of arms were recovered,” he said. “No lives were lost among the vigilantes and the Nigerian soldiers during the attack.”

All efforts to speak to the spokesperson of the Nigerian Army proved abortive as his telephone number could not be reached at the time this report was filed. 

However, Nafiu Abubakar, the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Kebbi State Police Command, confirmed the latest incidents in Maga Ward and Kyabu District, but declined further comment. “We are right now in a security meeting. I will call you later,” he told HumAngle.