The Kaduna State Government has confirmed that a group of migrating herders sighted around Tafa village in Kagarko Local Government Area were not bandits.
The Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday.
Recall that several distress calls were made from citizens to security agencies in regards to the movement of suspected armed bandits in the Lambata-Kabbo area.
In response to the reports, the commissioner said that troops and police operatives were mobilized to the area for confirmation and possible engagement.
“The troops trailed the group to an open field at Toba village, Tafa, Niger State.
“Upon confirmatory checks it was discovered that they were herders in transit from Dobi in Gwagwalada (FCT) and Gawu-Babangida, Lambata (Niger State) to their original stations in Jos, Plateau State and Bauchi, Bauchi State.
“A head-count was conducted by the troops, which revealed 53 herders in the traveling party: 9 adult male, 37 women and children.
“A thorough inspection showed that they had three motorcycles and no dangerous or incriminating materials were found in their possession,” Mr Aruwan said.
The commissioner added that Governor Nasir El-Rufai, while receiving the report, thanked the troops for their prompt response in conducting the checks. He wished the herders a safe passage to their destinations.”
The governor, therefore, advised citizens to continue to use the operation room numbers which are available 24 hours a day, for response and inquiries (09034000060 and 08170189999).
