Wednesday and Thursday were horrendous days for several communities in Anka and Bukuyyum local government areas of Zamfara State, as terrorist attacks left these communities desolate. More than 140 bodies have so far been recovered and buried in the wake of the brutal attacks.
Earlier on, migrating terrorists loyal to terror kingpin, Bello Turji, who were displaced by fighter jets of the Nigerian Air Force from their enclaves in Fakai forest in Shinkafi Local Government Area, had been reported to be moving southwards of Zamfara when they descended on the locals, killing many.
Villagers reported that more corpses were being recovered from bushes as some of the people were caught unawares on their farmlands, while remains of some of the victims were decapitated or burnt beyond recognition.
Babangida, a resident of the one of affected Zamfara villages said, “One of the pathetic stories about the carnage is that women and children were not spared. As blazes ripped through residential houses, children and women were not allowed to escape because the terrorists stood outside, waiting for anyone coming out.
“The charred bodies of the victims were later recovered and buried. Those who had managed to escape are taking shelter in some considerably safer communities. It was really very calamitous.
“The communities that were assaulted are more than 10. This is because the armed men were moving from one community to another on motorbikes. Although they have withdrawn, they are not far from the raided villages,” Babangida said.
A retired soldier claimed that over 250 people had been killed by the terrorists.
“About 2,000 cattle and other domestic animals were rustled while dozens of residential houses and food stores were burnt to ashes. Even if the situation stabilizes, the residents would be left without food to eat,” another source said.
Daily Trust newspapers had reported on Friday that five communities of Kurfa Danya, Kurfa Magaji Rafin Gero, Tungar Isa and Barayar Zaki in Bukkuyum and Anka local government areas were under attack. The terrorists took over 48 hours killing the locals and burning their houses and farmlands.
A fighter jet dispatched to the area on a rescue mission could not achieve much because after sensing danger, the terrorists melted into the civilian population, using the people as human shields.
