Bandits burn 12 family members to death in Zamfara attack
Bandits Kill 12 in Zamfara Family Fire Attack
GIDAN TABA, Zamfara State — Twelve members of the same family were killed during a violent attack on Gidan Taba village late Saturday night. The assailants set fire to a room where the victims were taking refuge, targeting the family of Mallam Muhammadu Sani in the Dosara Birnin Kaya Ward of the Maradun Local Government Area.
Local authorities reported that the gunmen forced the family to reveal their hiding place and, upon refusal, ignited the structure. Maradun Local Government Chairman Sanusi Ahmed Dosara confirmed the incident and described it as both tragic and inhumane.
“Really, what occurred in Gidan Taba village is heartbreaking and disheartening. A father, his wives, and small children—twelve lives lost—due to this heinous act,” Dosara stated. He clarified that the victims succumbed to the extreme heat of the fire, which compromised the room’s roof, rather than from direct exposure to flames.
In addition to the fatalities, Dosara noted that several residents were abducted during the raid. However, local vigilantes engaged the attackers and were able to rescue some hostages after a gunfire exchange. “It has been confirmed to me by one of the vigilantes that the bandits abducted people, but they blocked them and secured the release of some after an exchange of gunfire,” he said.
The exact number of individuals taken remains uncertain due to heightened tensions in the area. “As of now, we are yet to identify the actual number of people abducted, but later we will have the details,” Dosara added.
The chairman further revealed that the attackers employed gunfire in multiple directions, likely to create confusion for security forces and obscure their own positions. In response to the violence, Dosara visited the nearest police mobile base to strengthen security cooperation and mitigate the risk of future attacks.
The twelve victims received burial rites early Sunday morning in accordance with Islamic customs.
