Bandits Kill Seven Soldiers, 14 Civilians in Zamfara ..Senator's relation among victims

Seven soldiers and 14 civilians were on Tuesday killed by rampaging bandits in Zamfara State while  terrorists reportedly killed three civilians in Adamawa State when they attacked some towns, including Shuwa and Madagali.

However, the Nigerian Army said it repelled Boko Haram fighters who attacked Adamawa towns and recovered weapons from fleeing terrorists.

Military sources said the seven soldiers were killed while engaging bandits, who killed 14 civilians including a relation of a serving senator.

The attack took place Monday night in Bini village of Maru Local Government in Zamfara State.

The civilians were also  killed Monday night in Tudun Wada Maijatau, Takoka and Ruwan Bore.

"The bodies of the soldiers were deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, Gusau while the civilians including a sister of a Senator were buried yesterday," the source, who preferred anonymity, said.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army said contrary to media reports, three people were killed during the terrorist attack in Adamawa Monday night.

"In straightening the records, troops were alerted to an attack on Shuwa by Boko Haram terrorists who had infiltrated  the village through Karchinga on a looting mission, to which the troops of 143 Battalion swiftly responded by moblising themselves to Shuwa village, where they fiercely engaged the insurgents in combat and successfully repelled the attack and curtailed the incursion.

"The troops, who recovered one hand grenade  and six rounds of anti-aircraft ammunition after the encounter are currently holding grounds in Shuwa village, while some elements of the battalion are exploiting further in pursuit of the fleeing insurgents," an army statement said.

The statement signed by the Deputy Director, Public Relations, Theatre Command, Operation Lafiya Dole, Colonel Onyema Ugochukwu, said three people were killed  during the attack.

"Sadly, on the arrival of troops to the location, the insurgents had killed 3 persons, looted and torched a shop, a health care centre and a local market.

"It is pertinent to further inform that calm has been restored in Shuwa village, while  Madagali,  Michika, Gulak and Baza towns remain peaceful and firmly under control of the troops.

"Our hearts go out in deep sympathy to those who fell during the attack and those who have been affected in one way or the other by the incident," it said.

 

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