Fear has gripped residents of communities in Wanke, near Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State after gunmen abducted chief Imam and 99 others.
According to a source, “This is the second time the Imam was abducted.”
A survivor told the BBC Hausa Service in an interview that the affected communities were under siege and people were migrating for fear of further attacks.
He further explained that near Sabon Layi, over 50 persons were taken away, and near Dagon Hayi about 50 others were also abducted.
He stated that they were still counting those missing, adding that some of the locals were terribly frightened and ran for safety.
According to him, the terrorists were chasing people as if they were chasing animals, lamenting that it was quite a disturbing scenario watching how people were being chased away from their houses.
They (bandits) were chasing the people on motorbikes, stressing that they traced women to their houses and abducted them, while some were even intercepted while running away and were herded like animals to the bush.
“These terrorists attacked Gira, Ruwa Kusa, Dogon Hayi and Gidan Kado communities, where they stole motorcycles, farm produce and phones. They burgled shops and stole provisions,” the source disclosed.
The source claimed that officials at Wanke were informed but no action was taken.
As at the time of filling in this report, the state government and the police are yet to react to the incident.