Bandits Kill 12, Raze 17 Houses in Fresh Attack on Kaduna Community

Twelve people have been killed while nine others were seriously injured in an attack by bandits on Gindin Dutse Makyali village of Kufana district, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna state.

A resident of the community said the attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday.

He said residents of the community were asleep when the invaders, upon arrival, started burning houses and shooting sporadically.

He said 12 people were burnt to death in their rooms as it was impossible for them to escape as the bandits continued to shoot, adding that nine people who escaped from their houses sustained injuries from the inferno.

The resident said that 17 houses were razed by the bandits during the attack, which according to him, lasted for over an hour, allegedly without any response from a military checkpoint stationed close to the community.

In the meantime, Governor Uba Sani has condemned the attack, saying that the state government was working with security forces and other critical stakeholders to mitigate security challenges across the state.

In a statement on Sunday by Samuel Aruwan, the Commissioner overseeing the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sani reiterated government's commitment to tackling the security challenges.

"Governor Uba Sani received security reports on renewed bandits attacks resulting in loss of lives, kidnappings and destruction of properties in Kajuru and Igabi LGAs.

"Governor Sani who has been leading meetings with security forces, condemned the attacks in strong terms and prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased.

"He also directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to, as a matter of urgency, assist the affected communities in Kajuru and Igabi LGAs following the razing of some of their houses and valuables.

"The governor further reiterated the government's dedication and commitment in tackling the security challenges experienced across the state," the statement added.

Kaduna has witnessed a resurgence of banditry with frequent cases of killings and abductions in parts of the state.

On Friday, bandits invaded Kwassam community in Kauru LGA of the state, killing six people, while five others, including a retired director of the of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) were kidnapped.