Bandits kill four, kidnap several others in Kaduna community as orgies of violence, bloodshed sweep through Northern Nigeria

From AHMED ABUBAKAR, kaduna

The killing early this morning ( Monday, September 9), of four persons, and kidnap of several others in an unprovocative terror attack on Kallah community of Kaduna State, has ratcheted up the orgies of violence and bloodshed sweeping through some parts of Northern Nigeria, resulting in deaths, injuries, destruction of property and kidnappings that have made life unbearable in Zamfara, Sokoto, Niger, Kaduna, Benue, Taraba, Borno, Gombe, Adamawa and other vulnerable parts of the North.

In May this year, AFP reported that gunmen riding motorbikes killed around 40 people in a raid on a mining community in north-central Nigeria, opening fire on residents and torching homes, the local government then reported.

Only yesterday, some 48 people and 50 cows reportedly lost their lives after the trailer in which they were travelling, along with their cows from Wudil, Kano, had a head-on collision with a petrol tanker.

Barely a week before then, more than 19 persons had lost their lives in a series of bandit attacks on parts of Niger State.

About the same time, about 150 people were kidnapped in Gobir community, Sokoto four days after the community’s Emir died in kidnappers’ after the Emir had paid ransom for his release.

Early last month, gunmen killed 24 villagers at the Akpuuna village in Benue State’s Ukum district, shooting dead the villagers before escaping the area, according to Tersoo Kula, the spokesman for the State Governor.

To stem the tide of bloodshed, political heavyweights in the North under the aegis of League of Northern Democrats (LND) came together in an effort to pool resources and assist the government to fight insecurity in the region.

As of the time of filing this report, both the Kaduna State Police Command and State’s Ministry for Internal Security and Home Affairs were yet to make any official statement on the development.

But a credible source within the area who spoke in confidence, hinted that the armed kidnappers stormed the village around 2 a.m today, breaking into houses at jet speed.

According to the source, “About 4 persons were confirmed killed and several abducted in Kallah of Kallah ward Kajuru LGA Kaduna state some minutes ago.

“We learned that the security operative can help if the case is reported within the 24 hours of abduction. There is no update yet”.

Meanwhile, Deputy Director, Nigerian Army Public Relations, 1 Division, Kaduna, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, has provided residents in the Division’s franchise areas with a toll free mobile line (08000020204) to report security issues to Operation WHIRL PUNCH team for possible timely response.

“Given the security challenges in 1 Division Nigerian Army Area of Responsibility that covers Kaduna, Niger, Kano and Jigawa States, the Division has introduced a Toll-Free Line/number 08000020204 for reporting security related issues,” he said.

“This is to enable the public to report emergency cases and lodge complaints with the Division for quick response.

“It is also to assist the public to send timely information on the activities of terrorists, insurgents, violent extremists, bandits and their collaborators as well as other issues of security concern that would assist the Division and other security agencies in protecting lives and properties within the Division’s Area of Responsibility.”