In a fierce confrontation between two rival terrorist groups around Hayin Alhaji and Munhaye forest in the Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, dozens lost their lives in a battle for supremacy.
Mohammed Sanda, a local resident, revealed that the clash occurred when a group of terrorists from Katsina State attempted to kidnap residents in Zamfara. Notably, Ado Alero, a notorious local terrorists kingpin, intervened, preventing the rival group from carrying out their intentions.
The intense gun battle ensued between the two factions, resulting in casualties on both sides. Villagers discovered several lifeless bodies at the scene, prompting considerations for a mass burial to prevent decomposition.
“We may dig a big grave and bury the dead bodies before they decompose,” Sanda told Punch.
Sanda reported that Ado Alero assured the panicked residents to stay put during the battle.The communities witnessed the aftermath with numerous corpses and abandoned motorcycles strewn across the battleground.
Sanda mentioned that the bandits from Katsina State invaded the area around five o’clock in the evening last Saturday, initiating the conflict. The engagement continued for several hours, leading to significant fatalities.
He stated, “Some bandits who came from Katsina State invaded some communities between Tafkin Kazai and Munhaye village around five o’clock in the evening of last Saturday, trying to abduct the residents of the area.
”While they were in the area, another group of bandits led by Ado Alero came to the place in a bid to protect the residents.
“The two bandit groups exchanged hot words and finally began to shoot at each other, while the residents ran helter-skelter for their dear lives.
“As we were running, the bandits’ leader Ado Alero told us not to panic and asked us to remain where we were.
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“The two groups fought for several hours where many of them were killed and when we returned to the area early morning of today, Sunday, we saw many corpses and several motorcycles.
“As I am speaking to you at the moment, many people are trooping to this place to see the corpses and the abandoned motorcycles,” Sanda added.
However, when contacted for comment, the spokesperson for the Zamfara State police command, ASP Yazid Abubakar, expressed unawareness of the incident.
“I am not aware of this, but it is a very important development. God is answering our prayers in the fight against banditry,” Abubakar stated.
