At least 30 persons were reportedly killed in a fresh attack by bandits in Malikawa village of Gidan Goga district in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.THISDAY checks yesterday revealed that the bandits had earlier attacked and killed five persons who had gone to work in their farms.

A resident of the village who pleaded anonymity told journalists that the attackers shot the five persons who had gone to their farms to plant seeds.
According to him, the attackers also refused to allow the residents to bury the victims by attacking those who attended the funeral procession.

“Five villagers who had gone to plant seeds on their farmlands were shot dead in the morning by the armed bandits hiding in a forest near our community.
“Thus,  when people of the area went to get the corpses for burial, the gunmen started shooting sporadically and they killed about 25 persons,” he said.
He, however, disclosed that the villagers were able to hold funeral prayers for the victims after soldiers arrived in the community.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Zamfara State Police Command and Deputy Superintendent of Police, Muhammad Shehu, who confirmed the incident, said the attack was a result of a land dispute between two warring factions.He added that security operatives had been deployed to the area to restore law and order as well as prevent further attacks.