In the early hours of Friday, April 26, Maradun town in Zamfara State was thrown into chaos as heavily armed bandits (terrorists) launched a brazen attack on the community.
The town, home to Bello Matawalle, the current Minister of State for Defence and former governor of Zamfara State, witnessed harrowing scenes as gunshots echoed through the night.
Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants, numbering in the dozens, descended upon the town around 2:00 am, terrorizing residents with sporadic gunfire and ransacking homes indiscriminately.
Tragically, the violence resulted in the loss of at least two lives, with several others abducted by the marauding bandits.
Although the exact number of those abducted remains unconfirmed, preliminary estimates suggest that around 30 individuals, including women, children, and adults, were taken captive.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a traditional ruler whose home was targeted expressed grave concerns over the escalating insecurity plaguing the town.
“It was to my hearing the bandits burgled my palour’s door, coming towards my inner room, I managed to hide while my wives and children followed another passage and ran away to hide somewhere,” the traditional ruler stated.
He expressed concern over the rampant attacks on the town, saying even last week Friday similar attack was carried out on the town, where cattle and sheep were rustled by the bandits.
Hassan Ibrahim, a resident of the town, shared his ordeal, describing how he fled for his life upon hearing the approaching terrorists. He emphasized the need for swift intervention by authorities to safeguard the lives and property of residents.
“When I heard their movement close to my door, I crossed over to a nearby wall and ran for my dear life and luckily escaped but overheard them saying that we have all hidden,” he recounted.
Residents are calling on Minister Bello Matawalle to take urgent steps to bolster security measures in his hometown and prevent further bloodshed.
