Thirteen soldiers have been reportedly killed in several days of battle with bandits in Dansadau, Zamfara State in the North West, Nigeria.
Bandits and the troops ferociously engaged in ground and aerial battle leading to heavy casualties on both sides in communities of Dansadau District of Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The exchange of fire and airstrikes killed civilians in the affected communities as military personnel who were aided by the vigilantes battled bandits who disolved themselves and mixed up with the residents.
A resident confirmed to journalists in Gusau that 69 people were buried in Mutunji community, 27 in Malele and 6 in Dansadau town, so far.
Scores of wounded residents were currently receiving treatment atvan undisclosed medical facility.
Again, the vigilantes engaged the armed bandits when they came to attack Maigoge, a village situated 8km west of Dansadau town and 15 or the bandits were killed.
Angered by the killing, the armed bandits retreated and reinforced and returned to unleash a reprisal on the community two days after.
An eye witness said, bandits from five camps led by Damina, Ali Kachalla, Buzu and even Ado Aliero were mobilised in large number and were planning to attack Maigoge, Malele and Ruwan Tofa communities. The villages are a few kilometres apart.
He said residents immediately alerted the military who arrived immediately with two fighter jets which hovered around Dansadau town for sometime and then flew back to Maigoge community.
He said: “Then, we saw several military vehicles move there. The jets fired several rockets on the armed men. Unfortunately, the armed criminals scrambled into Mutunji community to blend with residents when they sighted the fighter jets.’’
“Huge collateral damage was recorded in the attack because dozens of residents were trapped and killed by NAF bombs. As I’m talking to you at least 63 people were buried and six of them were buried in Dansadau this morning,” Mustapha said.
“On the part of armed men, in Mutunji alone, more than 180 bodies were counted. But the residents are still counting losses.’’
“Thirteen soldiers were killed and several others injured in the fight. Three military vehicles were also burnt. The injured soldiers have been evacuated to a medical facility,” he added.
A resident, Bilyaminu Dansadau said 73 people are currently responding to treatments in different medical facilities in Gusau, the state capital, Dansadau town and the assaulted community, Mutunji. The victims are largely recuperating from gunshot wounds.
“Several houses were destroyed in Mutunji as burned out motorbikes and vehicles have become a common sight.
“On their part, the armed criminals have recorded massive losses. Decapitated and charred parts of their bodies have dotted the outskirts of the troubled communities,” Bilyaminu said.
The spokesman for the Operation Hadarin Daji in the state, Captain Ibrahim Yahaya said he was not aware of the incident. “I’m not aware of it, I’m right now in Lagos attending a course”
In the same vein, the spokesman for the state police command did not return calls by our reporter at the time filing this report.
It was gathered that the military had warned the surviving residents in the villages to remain indoors. More troops are being deployed. Heavily armed soldiers in armoured vehicles have rolled into the Dansadau community.
Up to the time of filing this report there is no reaction from the state government and other security agencies.
The NAF Spokesman, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, confirmed the development last night when contacted but he declined further comment on collateral damage.
