Police, bandits in gun battle

...As many killed, others injured

Police operatives in Zamfara State, weekend, engaged bandits in a gun battle at Gada community in Bungudu Local Government Area of the state, where many of the hoodlums were killed and several others ran away with gun shot wounds.  

The bandits, wielding dangerous weapons, rode on several motorcycles, invaded Gada community, killed eight locals and rustled many cows.

Spokesperson of the Zamfara State Police Command, Yazid Abubakar said they were able to chase the bandits, killed many while several others ran away with gun shot wounds.  

He said they retrieved 10 rustled cows and some sheep, adding that only six locals were killed by the bandits.

According to him, “When we got the information, the DPO of that area mobilised his men and the vigilantes, who engaged the bandits in a gun battle. Unfortunately, six vigilantes died during the encounter and seven sustained injuries. But praise be to Allah, we killed many of the bandits and many others ran away with wounds from gun shots.”

However, a survivor told journalists that the bandits wielding dangerous weapons attacked the community between 1a.m., and 3a.m., and killed eight members of the community.  

He said those that were injured during the attack were rushed to the hospital in Gusau.

“The bandits did not kidnap anybody, but they went away with many cows. Some of the cows came back later. We don’t have enough security operatives,” he said.  

A federal lawmaker representing the area, Abdulmalik Zubairu said his constituency has always been attacked by the bandits,  who killied and inflicted harm on his people.

He said security operatives in the area were inadequate, with only four policemen.

Culled from Vanguard