Bandits have attacked the Yankuzo community in the Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State in revenge for a military operation that targeted their hideouts. They set fire to the palace of the district head, Babangida Hamza, and stole things just hours after the attack.
The attackers, said to be led by someone named Mai Rasha, stormed the community on Tuesday afternoon, firing randomly as they moved forward and then burning down the home of the traditional ruler.
Hamza told reporters that “They rode in shooting and went straight to my palace and burned it.” He confirmed that he was not home when the attack happened. He also said that his family members had been safely evacuated before the attackers got there.
The district head says that armed groups in the area have repeatedly marked him as a target. He said that he had to move before because of threats, and six months ago he was kidnapped because of supposed ties to security operatives.
Residents said the gunmen stayed in the area for several hours, until about 3:30 p.m., when they went on a coordinated looting spree, stealing food and valuables from homes and stores.
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