GUSAU, Nigeria: Clashes between criminal gangs and local vigilantes have left more than 50 people dead in northwestern Nigeria’s Zamfara state, residents told AFP Saturday.
Zamfara is one of several states in northwest and central Nigeria terrorized by kidnapping-for-ransom and cattle-rustling gangs who raid villages, kill and abduct residents as well as looting homes before burning them.
Vigilantes from Zoma village in Bukkuyum district ambushed the bandits who were passing through the village on Thursday after kidnapping several people from nearby Gummi district, the sources said.
“We were alerted that the bandits were heading our way, so our vigilantes laid in wait for the bandits and engaged them in a fierce gunfight,” said a traditional village chief who asked not to be identified for personal safety.
“Our vigilantes killed 44 of the bandits ... we also lost nine vigilantes in the fight,” said the chief, adding that a notorious bandit commander called Jijji, who had led the kidnapping, was also killed in the fight.
News of bandit attacks in remote areas is usually slow to emerge due to poor telecommunications and distance.
A Zamfara state police spokesman contacted by AFP said the force had yet to receive details about the clashes.
Zoma residents Kabiru Tafida and Basiru Buhari reached by AFP gave the same account of the clashes and toll.
