Bandits, on Thursday, killed 12 villagers and seven policemen in an attack on a Zamfara State community.

Commissioner of Police in the state, Muhammad Shehu Dalijan, who confirmed the attack, said the killing took place at Magarya village in Zurmi Local Government Area.

He added that among the victims were a member of the Zamfara State Community Guards, also known as Askarawan Zamfara and four residents of the village.

The CP said the bandits, numbering about 300, stormed the village on motorbikes, and on arrival, surrounded “our men and opened fire on them, thereby killing seven of them and injuring several others.”

“The bandits were not happy with our men who prevented them from carrying out their heinous act for over two years now.

“Since the deployment of police to the area, the bandits could not have a chance to attack the village,” he said.

The police commissioner said more police personnel would be deployed to the area.