Bandits once again went on rampage on Monday in Northern Nigeria as they killed 10 persons in Zangon Kataf and Chikun Local Government Areas of Kaduna State and 12 were killed while attempting to rescue an abductee at Illela Amarawa in Illela Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Sources said that the bandits came to the area around 2am early Monday morning and picked up Alhaji Rabi’u Amarawa, a popular businessman.
Some members of his family alerted the vigilantes who mobilized and chased the bandits in a bid to rescue the abductee. The bandits then opened fire on them, resulting in the death of 12 persons, including the brother of the businessman.
An eyewitness said that “the kidnapped businessman is my uncle and two of my cousins were killed during the fight. We just buried ten persons. They only came straight to his house and picked him as if he was their only target. The area which is less than a kilometer to the Illela town is now calm and quite because we are in a mourning mood.”
The Spokesperson of Sokoto State Police Command, Assistant Superintendent Police Sanusi Abubakar, while confirming the incident said there was heavy casualty because residents did not involve the Police before going after the gunmen.
He, however, said investigation was ongoing, adding that they had deployed five units, each comprising 63 well armed Policemen to areas prone to banditry in the State.
Abubakar said that “we just launched Operation Puff Ader II and the state government has given us 15 operation vehicles out of the 80 the Governor promised us and all were deployed to those area. And we sent five units and each unit is comprising of 63 policemen to protect those communities.”
Kaduna State Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said in a statement that the military confirmed the killing of the 10 persons in Zangon Kataf and Chikun Local Government Areas of the State.
According to Aruwan, “in Zangon Kataf, Kurmin Gandu village was attacked by bandits, with five persons being killed. ln addition, 10 houses, two motorcycles and 50 bags of ginger were set ablaze.
“Some dry season farmers lost water pumping machines and other valuables around the Zango Urban general area.”
The Commissioner stated that some survivors of the attack are recuperating in hospital, adding that search and rescue operations were in progress.
He explained that it took the military hours to contain what would have resulted in further violence in the general area.
“Similarly, security agencies reported that armed bandits attacked Sabon Gayan village in Chikun local government area and killed four persons,” he said.
He said troops of “Operation Thunder Strike” were combing identified criminal hideouts in Sabon Gayan area, following reports that several bandits sustained bullet wounds.
“In another incident, bandits attacked Ungwan Turai, also in Chikun local government area and killed one person,” Aruwan said.
Meanwhile, Gov. Nasir El-Rufai has expressed sadness at the attacks, and sent his condolences to the families of those killed, while praying for the repose of their souls.
The governor also wished those injured a quick recovery.