Following military airstrikes on hideouts of armed bandits this week, around 200 people have been killed in villages of the northwestern Nigerian state of Zamfara in deadly reprisal attacks, residents told media outlets on Saturday.
A spokesperson for Sadiya Umar Farouq, minister of humanitarian affairs, said more than 200 bodies were buried, Aljazeera news agency reports.
The state government has, however, put the death toll of the attacks at 58.
After the military captured the area to hold mass burials, residents gained access to the villages, they told Reuters.
Around 154 people had been buried, including several vigilantes, who were also killed, said Ummaru Makeri, a resident, who lost his wife and three kids in the attack.
Residents claim that at least 200 people have died in total.
In the early hours of Monday, the military conducted airstrikes on targets in the Gusami forest and west Tsamre village in Zamfara state, killing over 100 bandits including two of their leaders.
In a statement on Saturday, President Muhammadu Buhari said the military acquired more equipment to track and crush criminal gangs, who have been subjecting people to a reign of terror. They have also imposed illegal taxes on communities under siege.
“The latest attacks on innocent people by the bandits is an act of desperation by mass murderers, now under relentless pressure from our military forces,” Buhari said.
30 kidnapped students released:
On Saturday, the Kebbi State Government confirmed that bandits have released 30 students of the Federal Government College, Daily Post reported citing a statement by Yahaya Sarki, Special Adviser, media, to the Kebbi State Governor.
He said, on Saturday, January 8, 2022, 30 students of the Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri and one teacher arrived Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State capital, following their release.
According to him, the released victims would undergo medical screening and support, before being re-united with their families.
Suspected bandits had kidnapped over 30 students and staff members from the Federal Government College.
The bandits released their photographs after one week and demanded for a huge sum of money.
Parents were devasted as they could not afford the money.
However, on January 8, 2022, the 30 students were released by their abductors after spending seven months.
“We thank all security agencies and those who have helped in securing their release while congratulating Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari for the success,” the statement said.
(With inputs from agencies)
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