A harrowing video has emerged, shedding light on the atrocities committed by bandit terrorists in Zamfara State. The footage, which has left many shaken, depicts the aftermath of a brutal attack on a village, where 53 people were abducted, and 35 were forced into a horrific ritual of slaughtering one another.
The attack, which began with the abduction of 53 villagers, took a dark turn when the terrorists, after collecting ₦50 million in ransom, freed only 18 of the captives. The remaining 35 were subjected to unimaginable cruelty, forced to kill each other at gunpoint. Those who refused to participate were shot on the spot.
The village, once a thriving community, was left in ruins. The terrorists set houses and shops ablaze, leaving many without shelter or livelihoods. One villager, who was forced to witness the atrocities, lost 88 bags of processed rice, along with other unprocessed ones, and was reduced to destitution overnight.
The incident has raised questions about the effectiveness of the country’s security apparatus. Nigeria’s president, governors, ministers, army, police, and intelligence agencies have been criticized for their inability to stem the tide of terrorism and banditry.
The attack has also highlighted the plight of citizens who are abandoned to the mercy of these terrorists. The country’s religiosity and democratic credentials are being called into question, as citizens are left to suffer at the hands of barbaric terrorists.
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of this attack, many are left wondering when the tide will turn. When will the government take decisive action to protect its citizens and restore order?
The people of Zamfara State, and indeed the entire nation, yearn for peace and security. The international community watches with concern as Nigeria’s descent into barbarism continues. The question on everyone’s lips is: what will it take for the government to act?
Note: The video and the comment, from where the story was generated, were shared by Dr Bulama Bukarti who is a Kanuri-speaking senior analyst at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change in London, focusing on violent extremist groups in sub-Saharan Africa. He’s a trained lawyer with a postgraduate degree from Kano University and a current doctoral candidate at SOAS University of London
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