By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
A terrorist attack occurred in Matusgi village, Talata Mafara Local Government Area, Zamfara State, resulting in the kidnapping of at least 10 residents.
According to sources, the terrorists, heavily armed with sophisticated weapons, launched a surprise attack on the community around 2am on Friday, firing indiscriminately.
Among those taken were a patient receiving medical treatment, who was abducted while still connected to an IV drip. The incident has left the community in a state of shock and fear.
Although sources in the community said about 30 persons were kidnapped, the police disputed it, saying 10 persons were taken by the terrorists.
“They (terrorists) did not kill anyone during the attack. They only shot to scare us. They took about 30, including a woman and one sick man. We are yet to know their whereabouts. Everybody is scared,” a community source told SaharaReporters.
The motivations behind the kidnapping of residents in Matusgi village, Zamfara State, remain unknown, but authorities suspect that ransom demands may be a possible reason.
The State Police Command Spokesman, Yezid Abubakar, confirmed the incident to Media during a phone conversation on Friday morning.
However, the police reported a lower number of kidnapped victims, stating that 10 people were taken, contrary to the 30 reported by residents.
The discrepancy in the number of those kidnapped has raised questions, as the investigation into the incident continues.
He said, “The attack is true. The bandits invaded the village on Friday morning, around 2:30am. They kidnapped 10 people and the police are already making tremendous efforts to rescue all of them unharmed.”
In May, a terrorist operation in Zamfara State’s Anka Local Government Area reportedly claimed the lives of at least 49 people.
The five-day attack, which occurred from Tuesday to Saturday, affected five villages and resulted in significant loss of life.
According to residents, the breakdown of fatalities is as follows: 18 in Farar-Kasa, 22 in Dangulbi, 2 in Duhuwa, 4 in Tsatsomawa, and 3 in Yar Sabaya villages.
A resident of Anka town, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that the terrorists had been terrorising communities in the local government since the beginning of the week.