The Kaduna State Government has reported the killing of 23 people by bandits across five local government areas within the last 24 hours in the state.
The state Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, made the disclosure in a statement on Tuesday.
According to Mr Aruwan, the attacks in these local government areas occurred around Kaduna state’s boundaries with neighboring states.
The statement said: “Following the security situation across the state within the last 24 hours, the Kaduna State Government has received reports from security agencies of the killing of 23 citizens in different attacks on soft targets in Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Chikun, Igabi and Kauru Local Government Areas.”
The statement revealed that 10 people were killed in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area, in an attack on Ungwan Gajere, Kutemeshi ward.
He said those killed in Birnin Gwari are: Abdu Hasan; Sufyanu Musa; Faisal Zubairu; Abdullahi Hasan; Ali Abdu; Rabiu Aliyu; Zubairu Yau; Bukar Yusuf; Mamman Ibrahim and Dankande Musa, while those injured are: Baushi Alu, Rabe Sani and Usama Sani.
“In Igabi Local Government Area bandits shot dead one Dayyabu Yahuza, between Sarkin Baka and Dankyawai village, near Gidan Kurmi.
“Armed gunmen invaded Janbaba village, where one Yakubu Sule was shot dead, in Giwa Local Government Area,” the statement added.
The gunmen killed five persons: Danlami Sunday; Abbas Abou; Sati Yakubu; Shaba John and John Francis, in Kishisho village, Kauru Local Government Area.
According to Mr Aruwan, in Chikun local government area, five citizens, Habila Ibrahim; Samaila Audu; John Musa; Birnin Aboki and Ali Aboki, were also killed in Gwagwada-Kasaya village in Kunai ward, while in Agwa village one Bitrus Joseph was shot dead.
Mr Aruwan added that one bandit was killed near Bugai, when members of the community repelled the attack.
Governor Nasir El-Rufai was quoted in the statement as expressing sadness over the attacks, while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
“The Governor sent his condolences to the families that lost their loved ones. He offered prayers for the repose of the souls of the slain, and a speedy recovery for the injured,” the statement said.
According to Mr Aruwan, security personnel are working hard to ensure the safety of Nigerians.
“As of the time of this security update, the air platforms of the Nigerian Air Force are trailing and engaging bandits in some locations in Chikun, Birnin Gwari, Giwa and Igabi LGAs, and citizens will be briefed upon the receipt of operational feedback.”
“Governor El-Rufai is wishing the military success in the ongoing operation as he awaits reports,” he added.
