At least three persons were reportedly killed, while several others were injured after bandits invaded a market in Tsafe town, headquarters of Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State on Sunday morning.
Eyewitness account narrated that the bandits stormed the market around 11AM on Sunday morning and opened fire on the marketers.
Confirming the attack, spokesperson of the Nigerian Police in Zamfara State, ASP Yazid Abubakar, said the number of casualties in the attack is yet to be ascertained as at the time of filling this story
Abubakar added that the joint military and police forces were deployed to the scene to engage the bandits and normalcy had been returned to the area.
“Yes, there was an incident this morning in Tsafe, the bandits entered the town, there were casualties, but I can’t confirm the figures now. I’m still waiting for the DPO of Tsafe to give a full situation report but what I can confirm to you now is that the military and the police engaged the terrorists in a gun battle and the area is calm now,” he said.
A resident of Tsafe town, Abubakar Tsafe, told newsmen that at least three persons were confirmed dead while several others sustained gunshot injuries.
“The bandits entered around 11AM and started shooting indiscriminately towards the people at the market, the DPO of Tsafe gathered his officers on duty and lock the police station, preventing people from entering the place for shelter,” he said.
Residents also confirmed that the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji deployed to Tsafe engaged the bandits in a gun duel, forcing them to retreat to the forest in their numbers.