Over 30 bodies recovered after police repel bandit attack in NW Nigeria

ABUJA | Xinhua | More than 30 bodies believed to be those of suspected bandits were recovered several days after Nigerian security forces repelled an attack in Bukkuyum town in the country’s northwestern Zamfara State, police said Sunday.

Yazid Abubakar, spokesperson for the Zamfara State police, told Xinhua by telephone that suspected bandits attempting to attack Bukkuyum town in Bukkuyum Local Government Area were confronted by security operatives in a gunfight on Oct. 28. Most of the attackers fled the scene with gunshot wounds, he said.

Several days later, more than 30 bodies were found scattered across farmlands and recovered by security operatives and residents, Abubakar said. “The corpses are believed to be those of the fleeing bandits due to the superior firepower of the security operatives,” he added.

The police official said security operations were continuing in Bukkuyum to dislodge armed groups operating in the area.

In February, armed men riding more than 150 motorcycles stormed a community in Bukkuyum, firing indiscriminately at residents and setting buildings on fire. The attack left at least 50 people dead, while dozens of women and children were abducted.

Armed banditry and kidnapping have been recurring problems in Nigeria’s northwest. ■

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