From Aminu DALHATU (Kaduna)
Kaduna State Government has confirmed that several lives were lost in a series of killings and counter-killings in Giwa local government area of the Central Senatorial District.
In a statement, the Commissioner of Internal Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan says the killings occurred at Kaya community, which shares a boundary with Hayin Kaura village of Dandume local government area of Katsina State.
It explains that based on the security brief, the violence began on the 1st of January, 2021 when armed bandits attacked Kaya town and kidnapped some locals including two married women.
The statement adds that the bandits were fiercely pursued by a combined team of volunteers from Kaya, and from Hayin Kaura village of Katsina State, in keeping with their practice of supporting security efforts in their respective communities.
It says the bandits in the course of the confrontation kidnapped and killed one Shamsu Umar, a leader of the Kaya volunteers, his corpse was found on the 2nd of January 2021 after a search operation in the forest.
It also notes that, unidentified persons came across some herders, and in apparent retaliation for the killing of Shamsu Umar, killed four of them, listed as Musa Lawal, Ibrahim Sani, Haruna Umar and Idi Isah at around 6:30pm on sarturday, with over 50 motorcycles each carrying three-men wielding AK-47 rifles, stormed Kaya town in Giwa local government and began shooting sporadically.
Troops of the Nigerian Army and police operatives were quickly deployed to the location, along with an air platform of the Nigerian Air Force.
Sadly, the following locals were killed: Hudu Shafiu Madaro, Madaki Ibrahim, Hamida Ibrahim, Mohammed Maidoya, Kabiru Maitakalmi, Ibrahim Kayawa, Danladi Daiyabu, Zubairu Mailemu, Awwalu Yahaya, Audu Sarkar, Maharazu Adamu and three unidentified corpses also recovered.
Similarly, other persons that sustained bullet wounds are receiving medical attention at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) Shika, Zaria.
After the attack, security agencies confirmed that several shops, five vehicles and some motorcycles were burnt by the attackers.
The Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai who was involved in coordinating responses to the attack on Saturday night, condoled the families that lost their loved ones and prayed for the repose of their souls.
He appealed earnestly for recourse to the law as the main solution to the violence, killings and counter-killings by aggrieved groups and Individuals.
Governor Nasir Elrufai expressed deep concern, and tasked security agencies to carry out extensive investigations into the circumstances leading to the killings.