Bandits Kill 2, Abduct 40 in Defence Minister’s Hometown

Bandits kill 2 people and abduct 40 in the hometown of Nigeria’s Defence Minister, raising concerns about security.

A violent assault in Janboka, the hometown of Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle, occurred on Saturday night. This tragic incident led to the deaths of two people and saw around 40 residents, mostly women and children, being abducted.

Witnesses reported that armed terrorists infiltrated the community in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State and began firing indiscriminately.

Ibrahim Haru, a local resident, described the chaotic scene and noted that during a headcount at dawn on Sunday, approximately 40 people were found to be missing after the attack.

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The victims included Malam Isah and a teenage boy, who were both reportedly killed while trying to escape the attack.

Haru voiced worry about the rising number of attacks in Maradun, highlighting that this incident took place merely a week after terrorists freed 10 kidnapped individuals upon receiving a N10 million ransom.

Despite the local security guards’ efforts, the terrorists successfully executed their assault, intensifying community fears. This ongoing violence underscores the persistent security challenges that residents in the region continue to face.

Zamfara State police spokesperson Yazeed Abubakar told PREMIUM TIMES that he had not yet been briefed on the incident. He added that local authorities are actively working to manage the ongoing situation.

The community continues to stay vigilant as it deals with the repercussions of this tragic event.