A significant battle between two rival bandit groups in the Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State resulted in the deaths of many bandits.
According to a local resident named Mohammed Sanda, the clash occurred last Saturday in Hayin Alhaji and Munhaye Forest.
Villagers discovered numerous dead bodies at the fight site and are now contemplating a mass burial for the deceased bandits.
“We may dig a big grave and bury the dead bodies before they decompose,” he told Punch.
Sanda reported that a gang of bandits from Katsina State came to Zamfara State to kidnap the residents.
However, the notorious bandit leader, Ado Alero, who is from the area, intervened and prevented the kidnapping.
The two rival groups ended up in a gunfight, resulting in the deaths of several bandits from both sides.
The locals gathered at the scene to see the bodies of the defeated bandits.
Sanda mentioned that there were more than 20 motorcycles left behind by the bandits after the battle.
He said, “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.
“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 said.
Sanda mentioned that the communities were considering holding a mass burial for the bandits’ dead bodies.
“We may dig a big grave and bury the dead bodies before they decompose,” he said.
When asked for a comment, the spokesperson for the state police command, ASP Yazid Abubakar, stated that he was not aware 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 said.
