Damina, one of the leaders of a terrorist group, has orchestrated an attack on several villages in Zamfara State. Over 100 villagers have been kidnapped, while in Taraba State, suspected bandits have killed 11 individuals.
On Friday, the terrorists violently entered the Mutunji community, resulting in the death of one local resident. The assailants proceeded to abduct numerous villagers, including women and children.
Reports indicate that the bandits had imposed a levy of over N100 million on farmers, demanding payment before allowing them access to their farms.
These distressing incidents occurred in Mutunji, Unguwar Kawo, Kwantar Dutsi, and Sabon Garin Mahuta within the Dansadau region, where Damina and his gang operate.
According to a local source who spoke to BBC Hausa, Damina and his men arrived on motorcycles, surrounding the community mere minutes after the dusk prayer at 8:00 pm.
According to him, “we were sitting in a place called Yar Kasuwa after the Isha’i prayers when the terrorists stormed the community. They surrounded the community while others drove into the community centre. We began running but it was already too late. They matched people into the forest. Men, women and children were abducted.”
Another source also said,”They attacked other communities including Unguwar Kawo, Kwanar Dutsi and Sabon Garin Mahuta and took away several people. We’ve at least 100 people taken. We’re still counting to ascertain the true number of those taken.”
The source said Damina attacked Mutunji because the village failed to give him N50 million he asked them to pay as compensation for “informing soldiers” of bandits’ movements.
The kingpin was said to have given the residents a week to gather the money but the source said they couldn’t gather it.
“We were trying to gather the money reaching out to people when he,Damina, decided to strike.
“He had also imposed such levy on the other communities. Kwana residents were asked to pay N30 million, people of Sabon Garin Mahuta were asked to gather N20 million while residents of Unguwar Kawo were asked to pay N10 million,” he said.
Police spokesperson in the state, Yazid Abubakar, did not respond to calls on his mobile phone.
Meanwhile, when contacted, the spokesperson for 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Lt.Col Musa Yahaya, said the area is under the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army.
Similarly, rampaging bandits attacked communities in Yangtu and Ussa Local Government Areas ,LGAs, of Taraba State, killing 11 people.
The attacks, which happened Friday, resulted in the death of nine people in some communities in Yangtu Special Development Area and two others in Tukwog community along Takum-Manya Road.
Chairman of Ussa Local Government Area, Peter Shamwun, who confirmed the development, raised the alarm that the bandits have laid siege to Takum-Ussa Road, threatening more lives.
A survivor, Yakubu Tinya, who spoke to newsmen, said the attackers came in numbers, shooting sporadically.
The spokesman for Taraba State Police Command, Superintendent of Police, Abdullahi Usman, also confirmed the report.
