- Bandits kills 13 in Zamfara, Kaduna States, kidnap 17 in Niger
The Armed Forces of Nigeria on Monday said its troops killed 35 bandits were killed on Sunday in two location in Zamfara State, Northwest region of the country.
This is just as bandits killed 13 people in Zamfara and Kaduna States while kidnapping 17 others in Niger State.
Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche said in a statement on Sunday, troops of Forward Operating Base Kekuwuje on Sunday killed 30 bandits who were rustling animals at Bungudu Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State, Northwest region of the country.
The troops also recovered 24 cows and “unspecified number of sheep” from the bandits.
Similarly, General Enenche said that on Sunday, “troops deployed at Maradun received information of reprisal attack by armed bandits at Janbako village in Maradun LGA of Zamfara State. Troops swiftly mobilized to the area to forestall the reprisal attack.
“Troops were ambushed short of Janbako village where firefight ensued. The gallant troops overwhelmed the bandits and neutralised five of them. Currently troops are in pursuit of fleeing bandits.”
He also noted that two “bandits’ collaborators” named Mustapha Sani and Murtala Sani were arrested at Dungun Muazu village in Sabuwa LGA of Katsina State and are “in custody for further action.”
The same Sunday, a motor bike-riding gang of bandits stormed the Janbako village in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State, killing eight people as they shot indiscriminately at the residents.
A sources said that “there was pandemonium in the community and every one was running helter skelter even though some of our local vigilantes managed to fight back and killed some of the attackers. We had to station some armed vigilantes to give protection to those who had come to the cemetery to bury the victims.
“Most of the victims were killed; while trying to escape the attack. The assailants were shooting people indiscriminately. We are, however, grateful to security operatives for their quick response to the attack. Otherwise, it would have been more disastrous.”
And in Kaduna State, bandits also at the weekend killed five people in three local government areas of the State.
Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, said that those killed included the ward head of Konti village in Chikun Local Government Area of the State, Samaila Yohanna.
Aruwan added that the bandits also killed one Alhaji Sani and Malam Rabiu at Dande within the same Local Government Area.
The Commissioner also said that security agents reported the killing of a female octogenarian in Sharu village, Igabi Local Government Area.
He explained that bandits had invaded the village and raided several homes and that while shooting sporadically, Hauwwa Umaru, 80, was hit by a bullet and died instantly.
And in Giwa Local Government Area, Aruwan stated that bandits barricaded the road between Fatika and Kidandan and opened fire on commuters plying the road, leading to the death of an unidentified woman while three others were injured in the attack.
The Commissioner said that “Governor Nasir El-Rufai noted the reports with sadness, and conveyed condolences to the families of the deceased, praying for the repose of their souls. He also prayed for speedy recovery for the injured.”
He said Governor El-Rufai had implored security agencies to ensure diligent investigations into the disturbing incidents.
And in Niiger State, bandits kidnapped 17 people on Saturday night in three communities in Bassa/Kukoki ward of Shiroro Local Government Area of the State.
The victims were reportedly kidnapped at Madagwa, Wongo and Marenje communities.
Sources said that the kidnappers stormed the town at different times on Saturday night abducting five people each from Wongo and Marenje communities and seven from Madagwa.
The co-convener, Concerned Shiroro Youths, Sani Abubakar Yusuf Kokki, confirmed the incident on Sunday, describing the abductions as disheartening and unfortunate.
According to him, “it is unfair that the locals have been left to their fate.”
Kokki lamented that kidnappings and other related criminal activities had become the order of the day in the entire Rafi and Shiroro Local Governments Areas of the State.
About 20 other people had earlier been kidnapped on Thursday from Duguru in Madaka Ward of Rafi Local Government Area of the state on their way to Madaka market.
