The Governor of Zamfara state, Bello Matawalle, has expressed sadness over the killing of 16 people by bandits on Ganar-Kiyawa village in Bukkuyum LGA, describing it as “dastardly and cowardly”.

According to a statement by Zailani Bappa, his spokesman, the governor condoled with the families of the victims and assured residents that the recent attack would not deter his administration’s efforts to achieve total peace in the state.

The attack was said to have occurred at about 8:30am on Sunday, with gunmen reportedly storming the community and shooting sporadically, killing villagers, including the village head.

Confirming the incident in a statement on Monday, Zamfara police spokesman, MUHAMMAD SHEHU, said contrary to reports that said 24 people were killed, 16 people lost their lives in attack.