Gunmen attack emir’s vehicle in Kaduna

The official vehicle of the Emir of Birnin Gwari in Kaduna state, has been attacked by unknown gunmen.

Samuel Aruwan, Kaduna commissioner for internal security and home affairs, confirmed the development on Wednesday.

The commissioner said the attack on the emir’s convoy occurred on Monday at about 4:30pm, but only Umar Jibril, the driver, and Sani Yahaya, his police orderly, were in the vehicle at the time of the incident.

“According to the reports, on Monday 15th March 2021, at about 4:30pm, the official vehicle of the Emir of Birnin Gwari was shot at by bandits around the Zonkoro axis of the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road, within Chikun Local Government area,” he said.

“Only the driver, Umar Jibrin, and an orderly, Inspector Sani Yahaya, were in the vehicle, on their way to Kaduna. The Emir was in Kaduna at the time of the attack.

“No life was lost, and the Emirate Council relayed details of the incident to the Kaduna State Government.”

Aruwan also said security agencies reported the killing of two persons in separate attacks in the state.

“In another incident, armed robbers barricaded a bridge leading to Kitansa village, Kauru LGA, and shot dead one Danladi Goriye, while another, Sunday Garba, sustained gunshot wounds,” he said.

“Similarly, armed bandits barricaded the Buruku-Mando road, Igabi LGA and opened fire on vehicles plying the road. One Abdullahi Baballe, a resident of Lema area in Mando, was killed.”

The commissioner added that troops of operation Safe Haven rescued two travellers — Ismail Haruna and Isa Mohammed — who were attacked by a mob in Chawai District, Kauru LGA, while on their way from Plateau to Marwa village in Kaduna.

The troops also reportedly killed two bandits in Chikun LGA, while police officers arrested two gunrunners in Lere LGA.

Aruwan said Nasir el-Rufai, governor of the state, extended his sympathy to the emir, and sent his condolences to the families of those who died in separate attacks.

“The Governor commended troops and personnel for the successful arrests of suspects and gun runners, as well as the engagement of bandits in clearance operations,” he added.