Suspected bandits have launched attacks across villages in Zamfara State, leaving at least 83 persons dead and hundreds of others injured.
Officials, residents and displaced persons gave reports of the attacks, which appeared coordinated.
The attacks happened on Wednesday in Gusau, Maradun and Bakura local government areas of the state.
Aminu Suleiman, the sole administrator of Bakura local government, told journalists that over 30 people were killed in attacks in Bakura and Maradun.
However, he said the deaths were recorded over days of reprisal attacks between members of outlawed vigilante groups and bandits.
As of Thursday morning, residents of Magami district said 53 dead bodies had been recovered.
Residents of other communities were yet to bury their dead as many corpses were being discovered as of the time this report was filed.
The state government has condemned the attacks in Maradun and Bakura, but has not spoken on the one in Gusau.
The state’s Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Dosara, said in a statement that Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, was saddened by the unfortunate incidents.
He said, “The government also condoled with the families of those who lost their lives in the sad event and is taking every necessary step to ensure that the culprits are brought to book.”
