A fierce clash between two competing gangs around Hayin Alhaji and Munhaye forest in the Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State resulted in the deaths of scores of bandits.
Mohammed Sanda, a local, told reporters on Sunday that the two terrorist gangs fought for supremacy last Saturday, in which hundreds of people died.
Sanda stated that villagers discovered several dead bodies at the location of the clash and were considering a mass burial for the fallen terrorists.
“We may dig a big grave and bury the dead bodies before they decompose,” he said.
According to Sanda, a group of bandits from adjacent Katsina State infiltrated some Zamfara localities with the goal of capturing the locals.
However, the powerful and known bandits’ kingpin, Ado Alero, an indigene of the area, intervened and refused to allow the rival bandit organisation to capture the residents.
The two rival gangs engaged in a gun war, resulting in the deaths of several bandits on both sides.
He claimed that residents in the neighbourhood flocked to the battleground to see the dead bodies of the defeated robbers.
According to him, the thieves abandoned more than 20 motorcycles at the scene of the struggle.
He said, “Some bandits who came from Katsina State invaded some communities between Tafkin Kazai and Munhaye village around five o’clock in the evening of last Saturday, trying to abduct the residents of the area.
“While they were in the area, another group of bandits led by Ado Alero came to the place in a bid to protect the residents.
“The two bandit groups exchanged hot words and finally began to shoot at each other, while the residents ran helter-skelter for their dear lives.
“As we were running, the bandits’ leader, Ado Alero, told us not to panic and asked us to remain where we were.
“The two groups fought for several hours, and many of them were killed. When we returned to the area early this morning, Sunday, we saw many corpses and several motorcycles.
“As I am speaking to you at the moment, many people are trooping to this place to see the corpses and the abandoned motorcycles,” Sanda said.
Sanda reportedly stated that the towns were considering a mass burial for the terrorists’ dead bodies.
“We may dig a big grave and bury the dead bodies before they decompose,” he said.
When reached for comment, ASP Yazid Abubakar, spokesperson for the state police command, stated that he was unaware of the occurrence.
“I am not aware of this, but it is a very important development. God is answering our prayers in the fight against banditry,” Abubakar said.
