Troops Sunday night and Monday morning repelled the attacks of armed bandits on Kaduna-Abuja, Kaduna – Zaria and Kaduna – Kachia highways, rescuing 39 victims and killing two of the kidnappers.
A statement signed Monday by Kaduna state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs Samuel Aruwan said, as troops dislodged armed bandits along the Kaduna-Abuja highway, stray bullets fired by the bandits hit a driver and passenger.
He said 69 rustled cattle were also recovered from the bandits.
“The Kaduna state government has received feedback from the military on recent operations in different locations in the state. The military thwarted armed bandits on the Kaduna-Abuja and Kaduna-Zaria roads in the wee hours of Sunday, 29th November and early hours of Monday, 30th November, 2020 respectively.
“At Kwanar Tsintsiya axis of Kaduna-Zaria Road, Igabi local government, troops of 4 Battalion Nigerian Army overpowered the armed bandits that were shooting at motorists plying the route. One of the bandits was neutralised while several escaped with bullet wounds. The troops rescued 39 persons travelling to Onitsha from Sokoto from the armed bandits. The troops are still trailing the bandits to areas said to be their enclave.
“The troops also responded to distress calls about bandits attacking and rustling in the same general area. On arriving the location, the troops recovered 69 cattle while one of the armed bandits was neutralised.
“On the Kaduna-Abuja Road, bandits advancing towards the Audu-Jungom axis in Chikun local government Sunday were repelled by troops. The bandits were pursued to Ungwan Tuta, from where the troops lost contact with the bandits and they were denied freedom of action as they couldn’t carry out their nefarious act.
“In the early hours of Monday, troops successfully dislodged armed bandits along the Kaduna-Abuja road. However, a stray bullet fired by the criminals hit a driver and passenger.”
Katsina
In a related development, suspected bandits killed seven farmers, including a nursing mother in Sabuwa local government area of Katsina state.
A lawmaker in the House of Assembly, representing the area, confirmed the incident while sponsoring a motion in the state legislature on the need to reinforce security at three troubled villages in the area.
Machika said the killings were carried out last week at Tashar Bama, Dogun Muazu and Unguwar Maigayya villages.
The lawmaker, who expressed concern over the attack on the communities by bandits, said the situation had created fear amongst people in the area.
“The bandits carried out broad daylight attacks on our communities. They killed people, kidnapped and carted away properties.
“There is no day bandits will not attack one community or another and our people are now leaving in fear. They cannot sleep in their houses,” he stated.
He listed Madachi, Dankolo and Tashar Barna villages as areas that daily witnessed attacks by the miscreants.
Machika stated that, for fear of the continued attacks, hundreds of farmers from these areas cannot harvest their farm produce.
He appealed to the state government to deploy the military and other security personnel to ensure the safety of people and property in the area.
