Zamfara State government has refuted a story circulating in some media that 40 persons have been killed and 60 kidnapped at Tungar Baushe village, in Maru Local government Area of the state.
The Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Bashir Muhammad, debunked the report while addressing journalists on what exactly transpired in the two affected communities.
He said a group of suspected bandits stormed Tungar Baushe village on Tuesday, 2nd March to fuel their motorcycles through intimidation and coercion.
They also seized some foodstuff, drugs, water, soft drinks, among others, before they left.
He added that the suspected bandits also invaded the Ruwan Tofa community, where they met stiff resistance which led to the death of many bandits while others escaped with injuries.
Bashir Muhammad, also disclosed that the military had recently arrested an Army officer and his girlfriend who have been
supplying military uniforms and ammunition to bandits in the bush.
Muhammad appealed to journalists to always verify their information, before dishing it out for public consumption, in order to avoid spreading fake news, which will embolden the criminals and escalate the insecurity.
In another development, the Zamfara State government has sent a delegation to sympathize with the Nigeria Union Of Journalists, NUJ, Zamfara State Council, over the burning of ten shops by hoodlums.
The state government delegation was led by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Bashir Muhammad.
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He promised to renovate the affected shops and assist the victims of the inferno to recover.
(Editor: Abaje Usekwe)
