Gunmen burn 12 Zamfara family members to death

File photo: Illustration image of gunmen

At least 12 members of the same family were reportedly burnt to death after gunmen set their home ablaze in Gidan Taba village, Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

PUNCH Metro learnt from residents that the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday after the gunmen invaded the community in Dosara Birnin Kaya Ward, killing the family members and abducting several other residents.

An indigene of the area, Mohammed Sama, told PUNCH Metro that the victims, members of the family of one Mallam Muhammadu Sani, had taken refuge in a single room in an attempt to escape abduction.

According to him, the gunmen discovered that the family members had locked themselves inside the room and ordered them to open the door, but they refused.

Sama said the assailants subsequently set the room ablaze, killing all 12 family members trapped inside.

He said, “The armed men then mercilessly set the room on fire, burning all 12 family members to death inside.”

Sama added that several other residents were abducted during the attack.

The 12 victims were reportedly buried according to Islamic rites early Sunday morning.

The incident occurred amid renewed attacks by suspected bandits in parts of Zamfara State, including along the Gusau-Sokoto road, where commuters and residents have continued to face security challenges.

Residents described the killings as barbaric and inhumane, and called on security agencies and the Zamfara State Government to intensify efforts to protect lives and property in the affected communities.

As of the time of filing this report, the state police command had not yet issued an official statement on the incident.

Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, for comment were unsuccessful, as he could not be reached by phone despite several attempts.