Bandits have killed 10 people and kidnapped several others in five villages in the Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Residents of the area said the bandits who rode on motorcycles invaded Dandamji, Gidan Runji, Doka, Yanmadanga and Yarkatsina villages on Monday night.
The bandits were also said to have rustled a large number of livestock.
They were said to have ransacked the villages for several hours without being challenged by security agents.
State Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Mohammed Shehu, confirmed the killing of the 10 villagers.
He, however, adding that police operatives killed 10 bandits during the raid.
The PPRO said, “At about 11pm in the night on Monday, the police tactical operatives deployed to Mada axis in a joint operations with the vigilante group of Hayin Daudu village and environ in Mada District of Gusau LGA, responded to a distress call received from the village that, armed bandits in their large number stormed the area with intent to attack the innocent people of the village.
“The bandits who were armed with sophisticated weapons heavily engaged to a gun duel by the joint police/vigilante operatives, as a result of the encounter, ten bandits were neutralised while others escaped with a possible gun shot wounds.
“Normalcy was restored in the area with rigorous confidence building patrol being intensfied to forestall further attack on the communities.
“The Commissioner of Police commended the collaborative efforts of the Vigilante and other partners in crime fighting for their resilience and urged them to sustain the tempo.”