No fewer than eight persons have been confirmed killed by bandits along Kaduna-Kachia road and other locations in Kajuru and Kachia local government areas of Kaduna State.
Kaduna State commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, confirming the killings in a statement Tuesday afternoon, said, “On a sad note, security agencies have reported the killing of eight persons in separate incidents in Kajuru and Kachia local government areas”.
Sources however say that 25 passengers, including 19 female members of Anglican Church, were abducted during the attack on the road in the early hours of yesterday.
An eyewitness, speaking under condition of anonymity, told newsmen that he along with other travellers arrived at the scene of the attack shortly after it happened. He said he sighted about nine lifeless bodies at different spots while a bus conveying Anglican Church members was abandoned with its occupants forced into the forest.
According to him, those that got killed were in a truck carrying firewood while the kidnapped persons included 19 occupants of an Anglican Church bus and six others from a Golf-4 saloon car.
Though the commissioner confirmed the killings, he made no mention of the alleged abduction.
In one incident, Aruwan disclosed, armed bandits barricaded the Kaduna-Kachia road around Kadanye village in Kajuru LGA, and opened fire on a bus, as well as a truck carrying firewood, killing five people. The deceased are listed as:
Alfred Makinde, the driver of the bus, Abdulrahman Dela, Dauda Adamu, Umar Dauda and Abdulrasheed Musa.
Three others: Murtala Ibrahim, Ali Manager and Abdullahi, whose full name is unknown, were injured, and are currently receiving treatment in hospital.
Similarly, armed bandits barricaded the Kaduna-Kachia road at the Doka axis of Kajuru LGA and shot at a truck, killing the driver. Aruwan said further details received on casualties will be communicated to the citizenry as soon as they become available.
“Furthermore, in Kachia LGA, armed bandits invaded a herders settlement in Inlowo village, and killed one Ibrahim Alhaji Haruna, before carting away 180 cows.
“At Akilbu village in Kachia LGA, armed bandits shot at a vehicle, injuring two persons, Mansur Ibrahim and Muhammadu Aminu. Mansur Ibrahim later died in hospital while Muhammadu Aminu continues to receive treatment,” the commissioner said.
Aruwan further disclosed that Governor Nasir el-Rufai expressed dismay at the reports, and sent condolences to the families of the deceased, while praying for the repose of their souls. He also wished the injured a quick recovery.
According to Aruwan, security agencies are presently conducting operations at identified locations in the general area. He added that the government will make details public on the receipt of operational feedback.
