Bandits burn down three vehicles at Katsina security checkpoint

Gunmen suspected to be bandits have stormed a security checkpoint at Mil Takwas (Mile 8) in Jibia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, burning down two operational vehicles and one private car.

Sources said the attackers numbering more than 50 came from Bugaje area, but a motorcycle rider alerted the security personnel at the checkpoint about the movement of the bandits.

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He said some soldiers were there about 30 minutes earlier, but left for Jibia on receiving a report that other attackers were heading for the town from Tsambe village area.

“The movement of the bandits from Bugaje was known, so some soldiers were there to repel them.”

“However, the soldiers received another report that some bandits, riding on over 50 motorcycles were heading towards Jibia from Tsambe area, so they left to stop that attack.

“About 30 minutes later, a motorcyclist told those security agents at the checkpoint that he sighted the bandits coming, and unfortunately very few of them have guns, so they left the place, and the bandits attacked and set three vehicles on fire,” the source said.

Another source said the security agents at the checkpoint exchanged gunfire with the bandits before the eventually retreated, salvaging what they could and abandoned the two vehicles which were set ablaze.

When contacted, the Customs Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Isah Danbaba, confirmed the incident.

“Yes, there was an attack; from the report we received, two operational vehicles and one private car belonging to an officer were set ablaze by the attackers.

“One of the vehicles belongs to the customs while the other belongs to the Nigerian Immigration Service. As we speak with you, we are on our way to the site for on the spot assessment,” he said.

He added that there was no one killed or injured during the invasion.