Zamfara State government has provided financial assistance to the families of 25 people killed by bandits in Anka and Bukuyum Local Government Areas, while also supporting 20 injured victims.
The Deputy Governor Mani Malam Mumini led a government delegation on a condolence visit to the affected communities, where he presented the financial aid to the bereaved families.
It could be recalled that 13 operatives of the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards (CPG), popularly known as Askarawa, along with local vigilantes, were ambushed by bandits in Anka Local Government Area on Saturday.
Fifteen of them sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the hospital.
Similarly, bandits had attacked a village in the Adafka community of Bukuyum Local Government on Sunday, killing 12 people and injuring five.
Speaking in Anka local government, the Deputy Governor expressed deep condolences to the Anka Emirate Council and the people of the area over the tragic loss of security operatives and vigilantes.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the families of the deceased, acknowledging their vital role in protecting their communities.
“In our list 13 people were killed during the Ambushed and 15 injured”
Mani Malam Mumini also reiterated the state government’s firm stance against negotiating with bandits unless they surrender for peace, emphasizing that efforts to restore lasting security in Zamfara State would continue.
“The Deputy Governor however, did not disclosed publicly on how much each of the deceased families would receive as the financial assistance and the entire fund”
During his visit to Anka General Hospital, the Deputy Governor sympathized with the injured security personnel and presented cash assistance to each of them and prayed for their speedy recovery.
In his remarks, the Emir of Anka, Alhaji Attahiru Ahmad, appreciated the Zamfara State government for its swift support to the bereaved families and injured victims.
Similarly, the Chairman of Anka Local Government, Bashar Musa Anka, commended the government’s delegation for their condolence visit, describing it as a significant effort in responding to crises in the council.
Some of the injured vigilantes, in an interview, confirmed that they were ambushed by bandits while returning from a successful operation to clear bandit hideouts in Anka Local Government.
The Deputy Governor also visited the Adafka community, where he consoled residents over the recent attack on Saturday.
He assured them that the government would strengthen security measures in the area and pledged to construct a road linking the community to the main highway.
Chairman of Bukuyum Local Government, Abubakar Umar, urged residents to intensify prayers in these last days of Ramadan, expressing hope that the issue of banditry in the area would soon be resolved.
Similarly, the Sarkin Kiyawan Adafka community, Nafiu Shehu, appealed to the government to deploy more security personnel and to expedite the construction of the road linking Adafka.
In addition, the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Zamfara State, Sama’ila Kwangwami, announced a donation of ₦700,000 each to Anka and Bukuyum local governments to support the injured victims.
The Deputy Governor was accompanied by the Secretary to the State Government, Malam Abubakar Nakwada; Chief of Staff, Government House, Mukhtar Lugga; Commissioner for Housing, Nasiru Zurmi; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Aisha Anka; Commissioner for Internal Security, Bala Mai Riga, among others.
COV/AMINU DALHATU.
