"Terrorists kidnap more than 80 residents in new attack in Zamfara"
Residents of communities in the Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State in northwest Nigeria say more than 80 people were abducted by terrorists early Friday morning.
Residents who spoke to the BBC's Hausa Service monitored by PREMIUM TIMES said some of those abducted went into the bush around 7.45am to collect firewood for household use.
Others worked on their farmland at the start of the rainy season.
“We were sitting between 8 a.m. when we heard that some of our young people who had gone to get firewood from the bush and those who had gone to clear their farmland had been abducted by bandits,” a village elder whose name has not been mentioned said in the Hausa language.
When asked the actual number of people taken, the elder replied "it's between 80 and 100".
"Well, we can't say the real number of casualties now, but we expect it to be between 80 and 100 of our men. Most of them are young people between the teens and those in their 20s. There is an old man who is in his 50s. And there are others too. But the majority are young men and women,” he said. p>
The source, who spoke to BBC Hausa on behalf of the other residents, said one person had been seriously injured and was being treated.
He said several other people had escaped the abduction and were reunited with their families.
Another resident, who also did not give his name for security reasons, said his son was among those abducted.
"I can't say how many of them were abducted, but my son was abducted. He left with my motorbike and they took him away with the motorbike. I don't know the actual number, but there are many of them, including children and young people,” he said.
READ ALSO: Nigerian Army eliminates 53 terrorists in two weeks - DHQ"My daughter was also abducted today," a Hausa woman told the BBC. "My daughter is 15 and she was one of those who went to collect firewood for us...you know how the situation is...they went to collect firewood but have now been kidnapped."
She said community residents immediately notified the security guards stationed in the community, but the terrorists had already left.
State police spokesman Mohammed Shehu did not respond to calls and text messages about the abduction.
Terrorists have continued to wreak havoc in Zamfara State and other northwestern and north-central states for over a decade.
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Residents of communities in the Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State in northwest Nigeria say more than 80 people were abducted by terrorists early Friday morning.
Residents who spoke to the BBC's Hausa Service monitored by PREMIUM TIMES said some of those abducted went into the bush around 7.45am to collect firewood for household use.
Others worked on their farmland at the start of the rainy season.
“We were sitting between 8 a.m. when we heard that some of our young people who had gone to get firewood from the bush and those who had gone to clear their farmland had been abducted by bandits,” a village elder whose name has not been mentioned said in the Hausa language.
When asked the actual number of people taken, the elder replied "it's between 80 and 100".
"Well, we can't say the real number of casualties now, but we expect it to be between 80 and 100 of our men. Most of them are young people between the teens and those in their 20s. There is an old man who is in his 50s. And there are others too. But the majority are young men and women,” he said. p>
The source, who spoke to BBC Hausa on behalf of the other residents, said one person had been seriously injured and was being treated.
He said several other people had escaped the abduction and were reunited with their families.
Another resident, who also did not give his name for security reasons, said his son was among those abducted.
"I can't say how many of them were abducted, but my son was abducted. He left with my motorbike and they took him away with the motorbike. I don't know the actual number, but there are many of them, including children and young people,” he said.
READ ALSO: Nigerian Army eliminates 53 terrorists in two weeks - DHQ"My daughter was also abducted today," a Hausa woman told the BBC. "My daughter is 15 and she was one of those who went to collect firewood for us...you know how the situation is...they went to collect firewood but have now been kidnapped."
She said community residents immediately notified the security guards stationed in the community, but the terrorists had already left.
State police spokesman Mohammed Shehu did not respond to calls and text messages about the abduction.
Terrorists have continued to wreak havoc in Zamfara State and other northwestern and north-central states for over a decade.
Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy and a transparent government. For free and continued access to the best investigative journalism in the country, we ask that you consider providing modest support to this noble endeavour. By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you help sustain relevant journalism and keep it free and accessible to everyone.Donate
TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT: Call Willie - +2348098788999
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