Village head, three others killed as bandits invade Kaduna communities

The Kaduna government says a village head and three other people were killed in recent attacks by bandits in the state. 

According to a statement by Samuel Aruwan, the state commissioner for internal security and home affairs, the deaths were recorded in Giwa, Chikun and Igabi local government areas (LGAs) of Kaduna.

The development comes less than a week after five people were killed by gunmen in the state.

Earlier in the moth, four nursing mothers were said to be among 18 persons reportedly kidnapped by gunmen in Mando village in Birnin Gwari local government area of Kaduna state.

Kaduna, among several other states in the northern region, has been plagued by insecurity in recent years.

Aruwan said two of the victims identified as Dogara Yahaya, ward head of Baranje village, and Reuben Adamu were killed at Baranje village near Buruku in Chikun local government area.

“At Ungwan Sada in Giwa local government, armed bandits killed one Ibrahim Salisu after an attempt to kidnap him,” the statement reads.

“Similarly, Abdullahi Saleh, a herder, was killed by armed bandits along the Kangimi axis, on the Kaduna-Jos Road in Igabi local government area.

“Governor Nasir el-Rufai noted these reports with sadness, and sent condolences to the families of the slain citizens, while praying for the repose of their souls. He also tasked security agencies to ensure diligent investigations into the incidents.

“Intensified ground and air patrols are set to be sustained in Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Igabi and Chikun local government areas, linking up to Niger State.”

Meanwhile, over 500 bandits in the state were said to have agreed to lay down their arms after a peace deal was struck by Ahmad Gumi, a prominent Islamic cleric.