Kaduna: Armed Bandits Kill 80-Year-Old, Ward Head, Three Others

Armed bandits have killed an 80-year-old woman, a ward head and three other locals in fresh attacks on Kaduna communities.

The incidents, which happened at three different local governments, saw five people dead and three locals injured.

The Kaduna Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the killings in a statement on Sunday. Although he did not disclose the exact days the incidents occurred.

According to him, security agencies reported the killing of the octogenarian in Sharu village, Igabi Local Government Area, to the Kaduna government.

The armed bandits invaded the village and raided several homes. As they shot sporadically, Hauwwa Umaru, 80, was hit by a bullet and died instantly, he added.

“In another incident, unknown gunmen killed one Samaila Yohanna, the Ward Head of Konti, in Chikun Local Government Area.”

Also in Chikun local government, bandits killed two locals, Alhaji Sani and Malam Rabiu, at Dande, he said.

Aruwan said that in Giwa Local Government Area, armed bandits barricaded the road between Fatika and Kidandan to open fire on commuters plying the road.

”One unidentified woman was killed, and three other persons were injured in the attack,” he said.

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The commissioner added that Governor Nasir El-Rufai noted the reports with sadness, and conveyed condolences to the families of the deceased, praying for the repose of their souls.

He said the governor also prayed for a speedy recovery for the injured and tasked security agencies to ensure diligent investigations into the disturbing incidents.

For at least five years, the northwestern part of Nigeria has become gradually engulfed by violence, and these attacks have been carried out by groups that have been described locally as “bandits”.

Bandit is used in this regard as a catch-all term to describe numerous groups that have carried out vicious attacks on local communities, killing scores of people, and have also been kidnapping as many as they can for ransoms.

Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna states are the epicenters of the growing crisis.