Kaduna Activates Emergency as Bandits kill 12, Raze Houses

The Kaduna State government, on Sunday, activated emergency services following attacks by bandits on two communities in the early hours of Sunday. The PUNCH learnt that the bandits invaded Gindin Duste Makyali of the Kufana District, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing at least 12 people, and injuring about nine while they reportedly razed several houses. Governor Sani Uba, while condemning the attack, ordered the State Emergency Agency to urgently move into the communities to offer aid to the victims.

Sources in the communities said the incident happened around 5 am, when the bandits, in their large numbers, stormed the town, shooting indiscriminately. It was learnt that no fewer than 17 houses were razed during the attack, which lasted several hours without security operatives in sight. The attack happened a day after two LGAs of Igabi and Kauru were attacked by gunmen on Friday night.

The PUNCH reports that in those attacks, bandits raided two communities of Gwada and Kassam in Igabi as well as Kauru local government areas where nine people were killed, seven injured while scores, including a retired Central Bank Of Nigeria director and his wife, were abducted.While Igabi is in the northern part of the state, Kauru is in the Southern Kaduna axis.

The breakdown showed that six persons were killed, five abducted and two injured in Kauru LGA, while three persons were killed, seven injured, and  30 others kidnapped in the Igabi LGA of the state. There was no official confirmation yet from the police but a source confided in our correspondent that the attack occurred close to a security post. According to the source, 12 of the residents were burnt to death in their houses while nine sustained injuries.

The state government, in a statement by the Overseeing Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said it received the news of the latest attack with shock while directing the State Emergency Agency to urgently assist the affected communities in Kajuru and Igabi. “While working with security forces and other critical stakeholders on mitigating security challenges, Governor Uba Sani received security reports on renewed bandits attacks resulting in loss of lives, kidnappings and destruction of properties in Kajuru and Igabi LGAs.

“Governor Sani who has been leading meetings with security forces, condemned the attacks in strong terms and prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased. He also directed the State Emergency Management Agency to, as a matter of urgency, assist the affected communities in Kajuru and Igabi LGAs following the razing of some of their houses and valuables.“The governor further reiterated the government’s dedication and commitment to tackling the security challenges experienced across the state,” he added.

Source: Punch