- The clash of supremacy happened on Saturday between a group of bandits from neighbouring Katsina state and another group based in Zamfara.
A deadly clash between two rival groups in Zamfara state has left many dead.
The heavy fighting happened around Hayin Alhaji to Munhaye forest of the Tsafe Local Government Area in the State.
According to a local, Mohammed Sanda, the clash of supremacy happened on Saturday between a group of bandits from neighbouring Katsina state and another group based in Zamfara.
Sanda disclosed that the group of bandits from neighbouring Katsina State invaded some communities in Zamfara State intending to kidnap the residents.
But the powerful and notorious bandits’ kingpin Ado Alero, who is an indigene of the area stopped the the rival bandits from carrying out their mission leading to an allout deadly confrontation that saw both sides exchange gun fire.
Sanda said the gun battle resulted in the death of several bandits from both sides.
He stressed that the people of the area were currently trooping to the battleground to see the dead bodies of the neutralised bandits.
He added that there were over 20 motorcycles abandoned by the bandits at the place where the fight took place.
He said: “Some bandits who came from Katsina State invaded some communities between Tafkin Kazai and Munhaye village around 5p.m., Saturday evening trying to abduct the residents of the area.
“While they were in the area, another group of bandits led by Ado Alero came to the place in a bid to protect the residents.
“The two bandit groups exchanged words and finally began to shoot at each other, while the residents run for their dear lives.
“As we were running, the bandits’ leader, Ado Alero told us not to panic and asked us to remain where we were.
“The two groups fought for several hours during which many of them were killed and when we returned to the area early morning of today (yesterday). We saw many corpses and several motorcycles.”
“As I am speaking to you, many people are trouping to this place to see the corpses and the abandoned motorcycles,” Sanda added.
Sanda explained that the communities were looking into the possibility of giving a mass burial for the dead because of the absence of security personnel.
“We may dig a big grave and bury the dead bodies before they decompose.”
The state police command has not issued a statement on the incident.