By Akanimo Sampson
Suspected bandits in Zamfara State have set ablaze houses and farm produce in Ruwan Tofa, Maru Local Government Area and also abducted over 60 persons.
The attack comes a few days after the release of the abducted Jangebe school girls through the state government’s peace initiative.
The freed schoolgirls arrived Government House, Gusau, in the early hours of Tuesday, wearing face masks and light blue and brown chadors. They had breakfast with Governor Bello Matawalle, and after visit the hospital for checks before a reunion with their families.
317 of the girls were abducted the previous Friday from their boarding school, the Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe, in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of the state.
Governor Matawalle, however, put the number of abducted and recovered schoolgirls at 279. Seven of the girls had earlier escaped from their captors.
Governor Matawalle said the 279 were released with the help of repentant bandits without any ransom paid. Their abduction was the latest in a series of increasing abductions witnessed in the country within the last three months.
However, an eye-witness says half of Ruwan Tofa was razed, and vehicles and shops set ablaze. According to the source, four wives and children from the same family were abducted, leaving behind only a seven year old.
The eye-witness adds that the village head and his entire family have also been abducted. Among them are married women, children and the elderly.
Police in the state say the command is still gathering facts and will come with updates later.
