… Markets shut

Four people have reportedly lost their lives following an attack by bandits in Maru, located within the Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

An indigene of the town, Mohammed Bawa, told Punch that the Emir of Maru, Abubakar Maigari, managed to escape when the bandits invaded his palace, but one of his guards was killed on the spot while others were injured.

According to Bawa, the emir’s vehicles were also damaged due to several gunshots.

He explained that the bandits also returned to the town on Thursday looking for the Emir, and when they could not see him, they moved from house to house, where they killed four people.

Bawa said, “The bandits invaded the Emir’s palace and opened fire indiscriminately in an attempt to kill the Emir, but he escaped.

“They killed one of the palace guards and damaged all the vehicles in that place.

“The bandits also returned to the town last night, and when they could not see the Emir again, they moved from house to house looking for him, and in the process, they killed four people.

“Their funeral prayers have been conducted today, Friday, according to Islamic injunction”.

Meanwhile, the state government has announced the closure of the popular Maru market for fear that the bandits could attack the people today, Friday being the market day.

In a statement, the state commissioner for information, Munnir Haidara, said, “Following the security situation in Maru town, the state government has closed down the Maru market until the security situation is improved.

“The Executive Governor of the State, Dauda Lawal, is sympathising with the families of those who lost their lives during the bandit attack last Thursday night.”