36 persons killed by gunmen in Birane Village in Zurmi Local Council of Zamfara State on Wednesday have been buried.
The police had on Thursday put the number of victims of the attack at 18.
The attack is believed to be sponsored by some herdsmen who were intercepted by some hunters.
The herdsmen were said to be in the bush with some suspected stolen cattle when they were stopped by the hunters.
The herdsmen reportedly abandoned the cattle and went to Isah Local Government Area of Sokoto State where they mobilised and launched the attack on the hunters.
The Public Relations Officer of Zamfara State Police Command, DSP Muhammad Shehu, confirmed the attack.
He said the hunters intercepted the herders on Tuesday before suspected bandits launched the attack.
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His statement reads: “The herder abandoned the animals and escaped into the bush, but unknown to the hunters, the cattle rustler went to Isah Local Government Area of Sokoto State and mobilised bandits to attack the hunters.
“On February 14, the bandits ambushed the hunters in the bush and there was a clash that led to fatality on both sides.
“Police/Military and other sister agencies reacted by combing the bush and its environs to salvage the situation and discovered 18 dead bodies.
“It is believed that the bandits took away their own members that were killed. Meanwhile, bush combing is in progress so as to further profile the area.
“Mobile policemen/Special forces and other security personnel from other sister security agencies have already been deployed to the area to restore peace and stability.”
