Four lives have been lost following a vicious attack by bandits in Maru, a town situated within the Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The assault, which unfolded with shocking intensity, has left the community in a state of grief and heightened tension.
A local resident and eyewitness, Mohammed Bawa, recounted the terrifying ordeal to The PUNCH.
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He revealed that the Emir of Maru, Abubakar Maigari, narrowly escaped harm as the bandits descended upon his palace.
Tragically, one of the Emir’s loyal guards lost his life in the line of duty, while several others sustained injuries. The assailants, indiscriminate in their violence, also riddled the Emir’s vehicles with bullet holes during the attack.
Adding to the ongoing terror, Bawa shared that the bandits returned to Maru on Thursday, ostensibly in pursuit of the Emir. Unable to locate their target, they embarked on a chilling house-to-house search, leading to the heart-wrenching demise of four innocent residents.
Bawa expressed the sorrow that has gripped the community, stating, “Their funeral prayers have been conducted today, Friday, according to Islamic injunction.”
In response to the escalating security concerns, the state government has taken precautionary measures by shutting down the bustling Maru market. The closure is a precautionary step to safeguard the people, as authorities fear a potential bandit attack on the bustling market, especially on its customary market day, Friday.
State Commissioner for Information, Munnir Haidara, issued a statement, saying, “Following the security situation in Maru town, the state government has closed down the Maru market until the security situation is improved.”
The announcement also conveyed the heartfelt condolences of the State Governor, Dauda Lawal, to the grieving families who lost their loved ones during the tragic bandit attack last Thursday night. The entire state remains on edge as it grapples with the devastating consequences of this latest episode of violence.