A notorious bandit and cattle rustling kingpin identified simply as Damina, has been shot dead in Zamfara State.
Daily Trust reports that Damina had a base in Kuyanbana forest in Dansadau Emirate of Maru Local Government Area of the state.
The slain bandit, who allegedly burnt a woman alive during one of his operations, was killed in a clash with a group led by Dogo Gide, another bandits’ leader.
The deceased was said to be 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 he died from severe injuries he sustained following a deadly clash between members of his gang and those of Gide at a spot near Chilin and Fammaje, two farming communities that had been under his control.
According to the publication which cited residents familiar with the crisis, Gide had warned Damina to stop attacking communities and killing peasant farmers, but he did not heed the warnings.
“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,” one of the sources said.
“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.”
But authorities in the state have not confirmed the development.
However, Saidu Muhammad Dansadau, senator representing the area, 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,” Dansadau said.
