Zamfara attack: 112 buried as Governor Yari vows action

The victims were killed during a meeting on how to stop the attacks on their communities. About 112 victims of Saturday’s attack by unknown gunmen in Yar Galadima village, Maru Local Government, Zamfara State were buried on Sunday. The state governor, Abdulaziz Yari, led a strong delegation of the state government to the burial rites. The governor expressed shock and sadness over the incident. He promised his commitment to ensuring that the culprits were apprehended and brought to justice. Mr. Yari also assured the families of the victims that the state government would give them adequate support and compensation. Some witnesses informed the Hausa Service of the BBC that over 200 persons lost their lives in the attack. The residents said the attackers came on motorcycles at midday, during a meeting of people from the village and other surrounding towns. The meeting was called to strategise on how to curb the incessant attacks by gunmen on the communities. “They came on motorcycles and opened fire on the people who were gathered at the venue of the meeting, killing many instantly,” a resident, Mohammad Yargaladima, informed Channels TV. Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the police in Zamfara State, Lawal Abdullahi, who confirmed the incident to Channels, said most of the victims were members of vigilante groups and local hunters who came for the meeting from Kaduna, Kebbi, Zamfara and Katsina States. Mr. Abdullahi, however, said it was unfortunate that security agents were not informed of such a meeting, which he described as being delicate in nature. “The police should have been informed, so that adequate measures could be taken for a security cover,” he said.