Gunmen in Zamfara State have abducted many passengers on their way from neighbouring Katsina State.
Witnesses said between Friday and Saturday morning, the gunmen have attacked about 10 commercial vehicles, where they abducted many and killed several others.
A female passenger in one of the affected vehicles told the BBC that they were were caught up in the incident while they were traveling to Zamfara State from Katsina along with a co-traveller.
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“We left Jibia in the evening around 4pm and reached Funtua around 7pm. After leaving Yankara to Kuceri, we were taken unawares by the sounds of gunshots,” she said
She said when the driver tried to turn back, the gunmen chased him and shot at one of the tyres of the vehicle.
“That was when a bullet they fired grazed my face, pierced through the seat and hit my co-traveller on the head.”
She added that because of the shot, the windscreen of the vehicle shattered and some of the pieces wounded her in the eye, adding that the driver however managed to reach Wanzamai community.
The woman said when they reached Wanzamai, the driver sought help. “We were put in another vehicle together with my co-traveller who was hit by bullet in the head to be taken to a hospital in Yankara.”
She added that when they reached ‘Yankara, they initially thought she was shot at the back. “It was at the hospital that we discovered that she was shot in the head.” She also said the woman gave up the ghost shortly after, while they were dressing her own eye.
According to her, their vehicle was not the first to be attacked by the gunmen.
“They first attacked a vehicle ahead of us. They shot at the vehicle and even wounded a passenger on his leg but the driver refused to stop. He tried to alert our driver but he didn’t notice because it was around 8pm and dark already.
“When our driver eventually turned he also tried to alert other vehicles of the danger ahead, but some did not understand.
“So they abducted people from the vehicles, including trailers.”
Murtala Aminu, husband of the woman that was willed, said they communicated around 6pm, and she said they were already in Funtua. “But after reaching home around 7pm, they sent for me. I wanted not to go but I was convinced to go when they said it may be an important message.”
Upon reaching there, he was told that Aisha and Jamila had been attacked. “I was told she was shot at the back. Instantly something told me she has died.”
He said her corpse was brought in the morning for funeral prayers
The authorities have yet to comment on the attack.
