Not fewer than 16 persons have been allegedly killed by bandits in Kanoma village in Maru Local Government of Zamfara State, as 14 others reportedly sustained injury during the attack.
Zamfara state recently has been in the news due to reported cases of killings by bandits.
District Head of Kanoma community, Alhaji Yahaya Mohammed, said the bandits came in large numbers and shot indiscriminately at whoever crossed their way.
Governor Bello Matawalle, who paid a condolence visit to the people, condemned the incident, describing it as unfortunate and inhumane.
He has directed the immediate deployment of security operatives to arrest the perpetrators and pledged to end the security challenges confronting the state.
He has also directed the immediate transfer of all the victims who sustained injuries from Kanoma General Hospital, to the Federal Medical Centre, Gusau for better treatment.
The governor has suspended Emir of Maru, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim over his alleged involvement in the banditry activities as well as the district head, Mohammed.
In a statement issued by the Director-General Media and Publicity to the state governor, Alhaji Yusuf Idris, the government took the decision following petitions written against the leaders by the people
They were ordered to vacate their office pending the outcome of an investigation on the matter.
Olugbenga heads the Investigations Desk at The ICIR. Do you have a scoop? Shoot him an email at oadanikin@icirnigeria.org. Twitter Handle: @OluAdanikin