A notorious
bandit and cattle rustling kingpin simply identified as Damina has been shot
dead in Zamfara state.
The slain
bandit was said to have had a base in Kuyanbana forest in Dansadau Emirate of
Maru local government area of the state, Damina who had allegedly burnt a woman
alive during one of his operations was killed in a clash with a group led by Dogo
Gide, another bandit leader.
The
deceased was reported responsible for a series of deadly raids, kidnappings,
cattle rustling and imposition of levies on several communities in Dansadau
Emirate of the state. In July, he had attacked Tungar Baushe and Randa
villages, where several people were killed and more than 100 residents, mostly
women and children, were abducted.
It was
gathered that Damina died from severe injuries he sustained following a deadly
clash between members of his gang and those of Dogo Gide at a spot near Chilin
and Fammaje, two farming communities that had been under his control.
The clash
between Damina and Dogo Gide.
Daily
Trust, citing residents familiar with the crisis, reported that Dogo Gide had
warned Damina to stop attacking communities and killing peasant farmers but the
latter did not heed the warnings.
A source
was quoted as narrating the incident that led to the clash that eventually
claimed Damina’s life.
The source
said: “Damina drew the ire of Dogo Gide after he imposed what he called harvest
levies on Chillin, Fammaje and one other village. He demanded that the
residents must mobilize and raise N6 million for them to get his nod for the
harvest of their farm produce.
“Apart from
this, Damina had, few weeks back, invaded Babbar Doka, killed two people,
including a woman whom he burnt alive when he set her room ablaze. The
Residents of the village had to flee and take refuge in Dansadau. The community
is under Dogo Gide’s control and the residents there are always feeling protected
under him.
Security
and state government officials could not be reached for comment at the time of
filing this report.
Senator
Saidu Muhammad Dansadau reacts
However
Senator Saidu Muhammad Dansadau corroborated the story. “Yes it is true Damina
was killed by Dogo Gide. We have the information on what had happened.”
“Damina,
had about three weeks ago , attacked Babbar Doka community and killed and
displaced residents there. The community is where the armed criminals are
getting their basic needs and has been under Dogo Gide’s protection for quite a
long time. “Dogo Gide had reached an agreement with those communities in
southwestern Dansadau town that they should go doing their businesses or
farming activities and no one would be harassed by any armed bandits or group
of armed bandits.
“But, when
Damina arrived a year ago Dogo Gide tried to draw his attention to the pact he
reached with the locals there but he Damina ignored it. Dogo Gide is also
hunting for another kidnapping kingpin called Ali Kachalla and the rivalry
between the armed groups is a good omen for residents,” Senator Dansadau said.
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