Policemen on Saturday repelled attack on Kakangi, a border town with Niger state, in Birnin Gwari local government area of Kaduna state, killing three bandits, while others escaped with bullet wounds, two policemen were however killed.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Kaduna state police command, DSP Yakubu Sabo, who confirmed the attack, said the state police command has deployed additional men to beef up security in the affected area.
“We received a distress call through DPO Randagi on 6/4/19 at about 1900hrs that armed men in large number entered Kakangi village of Birnin Gwari LGA, a neighbouring community to Niger state, shooting sporadically attacking the villagers.
“Combined teams of PMF personnel, conventional police and vigilante were quickly mobilized to the village engaged the bandits in fierce gun duel and successfully repelled the attack. Our gallant men gunned down three of the bandits and several others escaped into the bush with bullet wounds.
“However, two of our men paid the supreme sacrifice during the intense gun duel with the bandits. One Inspector Aliyu Mohammed and Sgt Rabiu Abubakar both attached to Randagi Division, while Sgt Ibrahim Nasir along with six civilians were injured and are now receiving treatment at the General Hospital Birnin Gwari. The attackers also torched some houses in the village.
“The Command has mobilized more reinforcement to the area with a view to apprehend the perpetrators of this attack and bring them to justice.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmad Abdurrahman has condemned the attack and assured members of the public that the command will fish out the culprits. He however appealed to the citizens of the state to support the police with prompt and relevant information that could help in getting rid of the bandits in the state.
“The Commissioner of Police prayed for the repose of the souls of the gallant officers who lost their lives in the operation and quick recovery of the injured persons,” the PPRO added.
Also speaking on the deadly attack, Chairman, Birnin Gwari Vanguards for Security and Good Governance, Malam Ibrahim Abubakar Nagwari said the armed bandits attacked the community around 5:00pm shooting sporadically, killing at will and burning houses in Kakangi village.
“The bandits stormed Kakangi around 5.00 pm on motorcycle shooting sporadically at the police station before embarking on a house to house attack and torching houses. Several sources said many people feared dead including high profile indigenes of Kakangi, that were attending a mass wedding.
“Security situation has worsened due to armed banditry and kidnapping. Many communities particularly along Birnin Gwari – Funtua road had deserted their homes and took refuge in Birnin Gwari and elsewhere,” he added.
According to an eyewitness, who escaped the attack and fled to Gagumi about 20 kilometres from Kakangi, “we were sitting in front of the police station and suddenly bandits heavily armed started shooting. I jumped through the fence to escape.
“As i was escaping, thick smoke from several location overshadowed the sky”, the eyewitness, who does not want his name mentioned, said.
