Gunmen reportedly open fire on traders, kill 41

dimeji akinloye

February 16, 2018 12:14 AM

The bandits were said to have slaughtered the driver of a vehicle conveying traders and then opened fire on the passengers.

At least 41 people have been killed at Birane village in Zurmi local government area of

The gunmen were said to have struck after intercepting a vehicle conveying bridesmaid and traders to the community market.

According to Daily Trust, they slaughtered the driver and then opened fire on the vehicle killing all on board.

The assailant then moved to the community market and started shooting indiscriminately.

"They arrived in large number and on motorbikes intercepting and killing people who were coming or going out of the village. About 41 people were shot dead within a short period of time," a resident, Hussaini Abdu was quoted to have said.

He said a commercial motorbike rider conveying a woman and her three children was killed and his motorbike burnt.

The police spokesman in the state, Muhammad Shehu said the conflict started after hunters and local vigilantes mobilised and launched a pre-emptive attack on bandits when they heard that they were preparing to attack their community.

"You know Birane is a very remote community. Yet, I can’t tell you the actual figures of the casualties till after the deputy commissioner operations of the command comes back. He, alongside other officers are there to assess the situation and provide additional security measures", Shehu said.

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He blamed the residents for confronting the gunmen, saying should have given police timely information to avert the attack

dimeji akinloye