Armed persons, on Wednesday, attacked Gada community in Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, killing its traditional ruler, Umaru Bawan-Allah, and three other residents.

The Secretary, Bungudu Emirate Council, Usman Ahmad, told PREMIUM TIMES that the attackers invaded the community around 1 a.m. and unleashed mayhem on the residents.

Mr Ahmad said the emirate council has announced 4 p.m. Wednesday for the burial rites of the traditional ruler and the other victims.

Gada community is about seven kilometres from Bungudu, the local council headquarters.

The development comes barely three months after the Emir of Bungudu, Hassan Attahiru, was kidnapped along the Kaduna-Abuja highway in September. He spent 32 days in captivity before he was released.

The Bungundu emir is considered of a higher rank than the traditional ruler of Gada who was killed in the Wednesday attack.

Residents said the gunmen operated for about four hours, killing, maiming and raping women at will.

They said the bandits set fire on the foodstuff and vehicles parked in the palace of the traditional ruler.