Bandits have killed about 32 people and razed several houses in three communities of Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The Kaduna State Government confirmed the incident on Thursday.
Our correspondents gathered that the attacks, which occurred on Sunday, claimed 29 lives in Dogon Noma, two in Unguwan Sarki and one person in Unguwan Maikori.
A press statement by the National President, Adara Development Association (ADA), Awedi Maisamari and the spokesperson of Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), had earlier stated that terrorists aided by a helicopterattacked the communities.
However, the Kaduna State Government debunked the allegation saying an Air Force helicopter under Operation Whirl Punch was dispatched to the area after it scanned the vicinity and intercepted the bandits.
The state Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, stated that the bandits had first attacked Dogon Noma and Unguwan Sarki where they killed 31 citizens before heading for Ungwan Maikori, where they killed one person and burnt some houses.
He stated that the helicopter had intercepted the bandits at Ungwan Maikori and engaged them as they retreated, before the arrival of ground troops to the general area.
Aruwan stated that it was the arrival of the air asset which deterred the bandits from further attacks on the citizens in the village after the bandits had already killed one local and burnt several houses.
“Since the attack on Sunday, security agencies and traditional leaders in the locations have been updating the government on the development. While the Government mourned the gruesome killing and burning of houses in the attacked locations, a report was published suggesting that the victims of the attack were killed by terrorists using a helicopter. The story that a helicopter provided air support to the bandits against the locals, is therefore an untrue account.
“The Government of Kaduna State has gone through all the facts and finds it regrettable that a section of the media would circulate an unverified report, insensitive to its implications on national security, law and order.
“Eyewitnesses to the peddled report of a helicopter aiding bandits in the killing of innocent citizens are invited to present their accounts to the Government but should be backed by incontrovertible facts,” he stated.
The commissioner said in the last 72 hours, security forces have conducted vigorous operations in the same general area, and are on the trail of a wounded notable terrorist.
Similarly, the state government said that several kidnapped victims, including an expatriate abducted at a mining site had been rescued after a fierce engagement with bandits.
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