Kaduna Killings: 19 Killed in Fresh attacks

Suspected armed bandits on Saturday night 2nd January, 2021 have allegedly murdered 19 persons in Kaya village in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Confirming the killings, the Kaduna State commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan who said the unfortunate accident happened at night when gunmen stormed the community shooting sporadically, killing the victims and setting vehicles ablaze.

In a released statement, Mr. Aruwan who described the killings as counter killings said the bandits also kidnapped and killed one Shamsu Umar, who is the leader of the Kaya volunteers while his body was later found after a search operation in the forest on the 3rd of January 2021.

According to a resident of the community, nine people sustained injuries with shops and houses burnt down.

Earlier on Friday, some vigilante members in the community killed some of the bandits who attacked a neighbouring village.

Violence began on January 1, 2021 when armed bandits attacked Kaya town and kidnapped some locals, including two married women.

“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”‘. Aruwan said in the statement.

Reports also say three unidentified bodies believed to be drivers in transit from Funtua in Katsina State were also recovered while nine persons who sustained bullet wounds are now receiving medical attention at Ahmadu Bello Teaching Hospital in Zaria.

According to the statement by the Kaduna State Government, other victims who were killed in the attacks are named as Hudu Shafiu, Madaro Madaki, Ibrahim Hamida, Ibrahim Mohammed Maidoya, Kabiru Maitakalmi, Ibrahim Kayawa.

The troops of the Nigerian Army and Police operatives have been deployed to the location along with an Air platform of the Nigerian Air Force.

The military and other security agencies have informed Kaduna State Government that several lives were lost in a series of killings and counter-killings in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna Central Senatorial District.

In November 2020, According to multiple new sources, unidentified gunmen reportedly killed at least 16 people during attacks in Kaduna state. The attacks occurred in the local government areas of Giwa, Zangon-Kataf, Igabi, and Kajuru.

Eleven of the fatalities occurred in Albasu village in Igabi, where a village chief was among those killed. An unspecified number of people were also abducted during the raids.

Further security operations are expected in the area over the near term and further attacks are also possible.