Armed bandits on Wednesday attacked Katarma village in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna state killing four villagers including local vigilantes before, kidnapping some women in the community.
According to a security report, the bandits were initially engaged by the local vigilantes who defended the village just before troops were mobilized to the location.
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The four victims namely Bulus Barde, Hassan Zarmai, Lawal Pada and Kefas Auta were killed in the gunfight.
Three others, Amos Doma, Zamba Ali and Bomboi Busa got injured during the gunfire.
The Commissioner, Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, who confirmed the incident in a statement, said all the kidnapped women were rescued by the troops.
According to him, in response to the attack, air platforms were swiftly mobilized for armed missions over Katarma village, and Kusasu village in neighboring Niger State.
He said while ground troops headed to the location, the air component went ahead and neutralized several bandits as contained in the operational feedback to the Kaduna State Government.
Aruwan said the bandits were sighted at Katarma, clustered amid large herds of cattle, with others fleeing the location on motorcycles.
“They were quickly engaged by the fighter jet and neutralized.”
He said during the armed reconnaissance over neighboring Kusasu village, bandits on motorcycles were also sighted fleeing from the aircraft, and were engaged, as some abandoned their motorcycles and took cover in the bushes.
He further added that operations were conducted over Albasu, Rahama, Sabon Birni, Kaya, Rikau, Galadimawa, Kerawa, Kidandan, Yadi, Dogon Dawa, Ngede Allah, Takama, Kuduru, Kuduru-Ungwan Yako track and the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road, spanning Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Igabi an Chikun local government areas.
He said Governor Nasir El-Rufai sent his heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed by bandits at Katarma, and prayed for the repose of their souls.
Two travellers killed along Birnin Gwari- Kaduna Highway
Meanwhile, suspected bandits opened fire on a moving vehicle killing a driver and one other person along Birnin Gwari Kaduna highway on Thursday.
Daily Trust gathered that the attack took place at Zankoro area of Unguwar Yako about 20 kilometers to Kaduna town around 10am in the morning.
The unfortunate attack came after 9 persons were killed at the same area last Sunday as reported in the media.
Zankoro area is located at Birnin Gwari Kaduna highway, under Chikun Local Government area and It is precisely 100 kilometres from Birnin Gwari town, and 20 kilometers to Kaduna town.
Confirming the incident to Daily Trust in a statement, Birnin Gwari Emirate Progressive Union BEPU Chairman, Barrister Salisu Haruna, said “the area is increasingly becoming a daily death-zone, as bandits occupy the area and kidnap or kill travellers along the highway with impunity.”
He called on the Nigeria Military to station a permanent check point at the area.
He added that they believe this can help towards saving lives of innocent Nigerians who ply the road on daily basis.
Contacted, the State Police Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige, promised to find out the details from the area before commenting.
He was yet to comment as of the time of filing this report.
