*’We could not contact security forces because of the seizure of mobile telecommunication network in the area’
NO fewer than 30 villagers have reportedly been killed, and seven others abducted when bandits attacked on communities in Sarkin Pawa in Munya Local Government Area.
A Local Government official from the affected community told Daily Trust that the attackers also set ablaze the entire villages, after slaughtering and shooting both men and women on sight.
The Secretary to the State Government, Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, had earlier confirmed the attack.
According to the SSG, 13 persons were killed in Kachiwe, seven in Shape and six in another village, all in Sarkin Pawa Ward.
But a source from the community, according to Daily Trust, said 10 persons were set ablaze in their rooms while four were slaughtered in Sabon Kachiwe village alone.
“Ten persons were burnt to ashes in their rooms; some people were shot while some were slaughtered. They also went away with 7 of our women. We could not contact the security forces as at the time the attacks were going because of the seizure of mobile telecommunication network in the area,” he said.
The source said the attackers also destroyed the telecommunication masts belonging to MTN and GLO during the attack.
“After attacking Sabon Kachiwe where 14 persons were killed, they proceeded to Shape village, very close Sabon Kachiwe and killed 9 persons. They also went to Gogofe, another village very close by and killed 7 People. The villagers could not communicate via telephone because of the seizure of the network in the area.” He said.
Another local said, “Right now we don’t know anything or whereabouts of the kidnapped women, because even the bandits too would not be able to contact us because there’s no network. Even the attacks were carried out successfully because we couldn’t call the security operatives because there was no network”
According to him, “when they left the villages, at the main road, they met a broken car, being repaired by a mechanic. The owner of the car and mechanic were tied and slaughtered. Their remains were also recovered.”
He said the remains of the deceased were given mass burial on Thursday.
The locals appealed to the Federal and State Governments to as a matter of urgency restore the mobile telecommunication network in the area to enable them contact the security operatives in case of any security breach.
‘The security operatives came and evacuated the dead bodies. And they were prepared and given mass burial.” Another source said.
Recall that some fleeing bandits from Kaduna recently attacked the LGA.
