Ebun Francis || The Zamfara State Police Command said on Thursday that 18 persons died in a fresh attack by gunmen in Birane village in Zurmi Local Government Area of the state.
Muhammad Shehu, the command’s Public Relations Officer, made the disclosure in a statement made available to newsmen in Gusau, the state capital.
According to Shehu, on February 13, hunters from Birani Village of Zurmi Local Government Area intercepted and accosted a herder in the bush with some suspected stolen cattle and sheep.
“The herder abandoned the animals and escaped into the bush, but unknown to the hunters, the cattle rustler went to Isah Local Government Area of Sokoto State and mobilised bandits to attack the hunters.
“On February 14, the bandits ambushed the hunters in the bush and there was a clash that led to fatality on both sides.
“Police/Military and other sister agencies reacted by combing the bush and it’s environs to salvage the situation and discovered 18 dead bodies.
“It is believed that the bandits took away their own members that were killed. Meanwhile, bush combing is in progress so as to further profile the area.
“Mobile policemen/special forces and other security personnel from other sister security agencies have already been deployed to the area to restore peace and stability,” he said.
Shehu in the statement, said that the command’s Intelligence Unit had already embarked on investigation to arrest the perpetrators of the attack.