Unknown gunmen have killed about 12 persons after storming the Sakajiki village in Kaura Namoda Emirate of Zamfara State.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Shehu explained that the casualties recorded in the incident would have been more if not for the timely intervention of the police operatives deployed in the area.

The PPRO further explained that the assailants arrived at about 9pm on Thursday and were at the area for several hours.

He said that about a dozen persons were killed as the attackers continued with their operation until around 4am on Friday.

The PPRO stated that the attackers set several shops and other houses ablaze, including an edifice of a police outpost in the area, as well as several vehicles – one of which was a police patrol van.

A source explained, “The persons who were confirmed dead were those whose bodies were brought to the open, while a search for those not seen was ongoing.”

The source noted that that the team of police mobile force operatives tried their best to repel the attackers, adding that the people were purportedly overpowered by the bandits.

He said another vehicle was set ablaze by bandits who attacked the village on October 14, 2021.

The PPRO explained that the Commissioner of Police in the state, had deployed an additional squad for reinforcement.

He promised the people of the area of the command’s determination to redouble its efforts to ensure that banditry was wiped out of the state.