Terrorists who moved from their hideouts in Kaduna State on Tuesday invaded Kachiwe and adjourning villages in Sarkin Pawa headquarters of the Munya Local Government Area of Niger State, killing 30 residents.
This is just as the Kaduna State Government has banned the use of motorcycles, popularly known as Okada for commercial and personal purposes as part of efforts to address rising insecurity in the State.
Kaduna also announced the shutdown of all communication networks in some parts of the State beginning from Wednesday, effectively joining Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto States who have implemented the same measures as part of the ways to curtail the rising insecurity.
The Secretary to the Government of Niger State, Alhaji Ahmed Matane, confirmed the attack but did not give the casualty figure.
Matane said: “Yes it is true but we don’t know the exact number. But the security people are trying to verify. The bandits went into about three communities. They burnt one of the villages completely. For now we can’t say the exact number of casualties from the attack.”
For the Commissioner of Police in Niger State, Mr Monday Kuryas, investigation into the killings had commenced to enable them track down the perpetrators of the criminal act.
He said: “A team of policemen have been dispatched to the area to safeguard lives and property of people of Sarkin Pawa.”
On the attack in Kagara Rafi LGA by gunmen, he said three people were killed.
But according to a source from one of the villages, “a lot of people were killed during the attack. More than 30 people were killed because they raided many communities in the area.”
Meanwhile, Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, announced the ban on motorcyclists and shut down of communication services in parts of the during a press conference in Kaduna on Wednesday, three days after the terrorists killed over 51 people in the Southern part of the State.
Aruwan said: “lam here to inform you of, and to formally announce the implementation of certain measures to assist the security agencies in parts of the state.
“You will recall that Governor Nasir El-Rufai announced in a media chat yesterday (September 28, 2021) that the state government has formally requested the Federal Government to enforce the shutdown of telecom services in some parts of the state identified by security agencies as requiring such measures.
“The relevant federal agencies have today informed the Kaduna State Government that the processes for telecoms shutdown in parts of the state have commenced.
“As part of the steps to address the current security situation in Kaduna State and neighbouring states in the North-West and North-Central regions, Kaduna has held several meetings with security agencies to adopt critical measures towards crushing bandits in their identified hideouts.
“The military and other security forces have been carrying out assaults on the identified locations. The state government is advised that certain measures are now necessary to assist the spirited efforts of these security agencies.
“The following measures become effective from Thursday, 30 September 2021:
“a. The complete ban on the use of motorcycles (Okada), for commercial or personal purposes, for three months in the first instance.
“b. Ban on possession of or wielding of dangerous weapons.
“c. Tricycles are allowed to operate only from 6 am to 7 pm. All tricycles must remove all curtains. The movement of all tricycles is restricted from dusk till dawn (7pm to 6am).
“D. All vehicles used for commercial transport must be painted in yellow and black within 30 days. Vehicles that are part of ride-hailing services are to carry yellow and black stripes.
“e. Ban on the sale of petrol in jerry-cans or other containers in Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Chikun, Igabi, Kachia, Kagarko and Kajuru LGAs.
“Other containment measures previously communicated by the Kaduna State Government remain in place. These include:
“a. Ban on the felling of trees and forestry activities in Birnin Gwari, Giwa Igabi, Chikun, Kachia, Kagarko and Kajuru LGAs.
“b. Ban on firewood and charcoal transportation.
“c. Ban on the transportation of livestock into and out of the state.
“d. Cessation of weekly markets in the frontline local government areas of Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Chikun, Igabi, Kajuru and Kawo weekly market of Kaduna North local government.
“The Kaduna State Government regrets the severe strain and inconvenience these measures will place on peaceful and law-abiding citizens.
“The Government, therefore, appeals for the understanding and cooperation of all residents of the affected areas, and indeed across the State. These difficult times have demanded that difficult decisions be made.
“The measures have been adopted purely in the interest of our collective safety and security, and to aid our brave forces in their fight against these mindless criminals.
“Too many lives have been lost, and too many families have been shattered. Small groups of wicked persons cannot continue to hold us to ransom and force us to live in perpetual fear.
“Once again, the government craves the understanding of all citizens. The hardship we face will be temporary, and we are confident that in the end, it will pay off. Goodwill prevails over evil.”