Bandits kill police officer, 10 others in Kaduna, Katsina

• SOKAPU flays killings in Southern Kaduna
• Baraje urges youths to shun violence
Bandits have killed four residents of Goska community in Jema’a Local Council of Kaduna State, according to the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan.

The commissioner stated yesterday that security patrols were ongoing in the general area, alongside investigations into the attack. He said the victims were identified as Wakili Kon, Yusuf Joshua, Martha Ayuba and Lami Peter.

“Kon and Joshua were killed in their farms by the assailants. One woman, Laraba Silas, sustained gunshot injuries and was rushed to hospital,” Aruwan added.

The state government condemned the killing, vowing to bring those behind the killing to book.

IN Katsina State, seven persons, including a police officer, lost their lives during an attack by bandits at Zandam village, in Jibia Local Council.

The incident, which reportedly occurred between 5.00p.m. and 6.00p.m. on Monday, left about six others with injuries. A security detachment that arrived the area during the attack reportedly shot three of the attackers dead.

A resident, Magaji Zandam, said the gunmen razed a healthcare centre and a police vehicle during the attack.
Also, the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) condemned the killing by suspected Fulani herders, while blaming the state government for not showing concern in the kidnap of 72 Adara indigenes.

The spokesman of SOKAPU, Luka Binniyat, stated yesterday: “The villagers described the assailants as armed Fulani herdsmen. In the past one week, Godogodo town and Golkofa village in Godogodo Chiefdom of Jema’a have witnessed similar cruelty with no apparent provocation.

“We demand that those behind these heinous crimes, which bear all the signs of genocide, be brought to justice.”

FORMER Acting National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kawu Baraje, has urged Nigerian youths to eschew violence and embrace peace.

Baraje, who noted that violence in some parts of the country were perpetrated by the youths, lamented that the future of the country was bleak, if the youths regarded as leaders of tomorrow should continue in vices.

Speaking with reporters in Baboko, Ilorin, Kwara State, Baraje appealed to violent youths to retrace their steps for national development.