Bandits ‘kill six’ in fresh attack on Kaduna community

Six persons were reportedly killed during a fresh attack on Takanai community, Zango Kataf LGA of Kaduna state.

The attack occurred around 7 pm on Tuesday.

Samson Markus, a community leader, told TheCable on Wednesday that the bandits invaded the community “when it was least expected” after a hiatus.

He added that six people were killed — including two minors. 

Markus said residents were going about their normal activities when the bandits invaded the community with guns blazing. 

“The bandits came around 7 pm when we least expected that such a thing could happen. We were going about our usual activities when suddenly, we heard sporadic gunshots,” he said. 

“Everybody started running helter-skelter for safety. Four people from the same family and another two from the same family were killed, including two children.”

Markus said the bandits fled before security personnel arrived. 

Mansir Hassan, acting spokesperson of the Kaduna police command, did not respond to telephone calls when contacted. 

NEVER ENDING BANDITRY IN KADUNA

Nigeria’s north-west region has been battling a spate of banditry on rustic, sleepy settlements for decades.

On April 16, gunmen burned 27 persons alive and injured several others in an attack on Runji community in Zango Kataf LGA.

The gunmen were said to have invaded the community around 10 pm on the day, before opening fire on the villagers, most of whom were fast asleep.

A month later, the Atyap Community Development Association (ACDA) said in a press conference that no fewer than 518 people have been killed by suspected bandits during attacks on communities in Zangon Kataf LGA of Kaduna state since 2017.

Samuel Achie, president of ACDA, said up until May, 20 communities in the LGA have been displaced, while 18 others have been razed to ashes.