Fourty-two people have been reportedly killed on Thursday evening by bandits in five Zamfara State communities.

The communities are Tsauni, Gudan-Baushi, Gidan-Adamu, Wari and Gudan-Maidawa, located in the Faru District of Maradun Local Government Area of the state.

An indigene of the area, Malam Buba Faru, said the unfortunate incident occurred on Thursday evening when the bandits who were riding over 100 motorcycles stormed the communities.

He said the bandits were shooting indiscriminately at the people and at the same time burning their houses and food stores.

“They were shooting sporadically at people they came across in the five communities.

“They also attacked farmers who were in their farmlands cultivating their crops.

“So far, 42 dead bodies have been recovered by the security and volunteer groups in the area.”

The bodies, according to Buba were expected to be buried on Friday according to Islamic rites.

Spokesman for the State Police Command, SP Mohammed Shehu, confirmed that 35 people were killed in the five communities when The PUNCH contacted him on the telephone.

Shehu stated that the police could not reach the affected communities on time when they were informed of the bandits’ attack due to the road network.

“The police personnel tried their best to reach the affected communities on receiving the information that the bandits were there but unfortunately they could not reach the places because of the bad roads.”

He maintained that the police were currently working tirelessly in order to arrest those bandits.