Assailants neutralise troop, local in Kaduna, Katsina, injure others
No fewer than 10 persons were killed on Wednesday in yet another attack on five communities in the Bokkos Local Council of Plateau State.

The onslaught occurred just six days after a similar attack at the Ruwi community of the same Bokkos council area, where more than 10 persons were shot dead and three others injured while observing a wake-keep.

Chairman of Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) Vanguard, Farmasum Fuddang, who confirmed the incident yesterday to journalists, narrated how the attackers executed their operation.

His words: “There were attacks yesterday (Wednesday), and five villages were affected. It started from Mongor, but the attackers were chased out by security forces. The attackers then moved to Daffo and attacked the community, but security swiftly responded and chased them out. After Daffo, they went to Manguna, Hurti and Tadai villages and launched attacks.’

In a statement, the chairman said, “In just one week, we have lost over 20 community members due to these marauding terrorists. On April 2 alone, they killed over 10 people.

“All thanks to the Nigerian military and police for their swift response to distress calls, which helped minimise casualties. We extend our deepest sympathies to the victims of the recent invasions in Ruwi, Mangor, Daffo, Manguna, Hurti, and Tadai. We call on emergency agencies such as NEMA, SEMA, and the Nigerian Red Cross to swiftly provide relief to the displaced and injured.”

REACTING, the Plateau State government has condemned the attacks.

The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, pleaded for calm among citizens of the state.

She said: “I extend the state government’s deepest sympathies to the victims of the recent invasions in Ruwi, Mangor, Daffo, Manguna, Hurti, and Tadai.

“I am calling for calm and restraint. Towards this end, I urge our citizens to remain vigilant and peaceful.

“We commend the efforts of security operatives for their response and urge them to ensure that the perpetrators of this dastardly act are brought to book.”

RELATEDLY, two soldiers were ambushed in Kaduna, a pastor was assaulted in Plateau, and a bandits’ raid in Katsina left one dead and three injured.

A counter-insurgency and security expert, Zagazola Makama, explained that the first attack occurred on April 2 at Babar Saura in Kaduna, where two soldiers from the 312 Battalion Kalapanzi Barracks were attacked by three men armed with sophisticated weapons.

Intelligence sources revealed that the assailants shot the soldiers, resulting in the death of Corporal James (surname unknown) and injuries to Private Ibrahim Bazalla. The attackers made away with two AK-47 rifles.

Despite swift efforts to save them, Corporal James was confirmed dead at the 44 Army Reference Hospital, while Private Bazalla is receiving medical treatment.

It was gathered that in response, security operatives, including the military, police, and vigilance groups, launched a coordinated operation that led them to Degel, Kaduna. The attackers abandoned a silver Toyota Corolla and, in an attempt to escape, hijacked a white Toyota Venza from a civilian, Abdullahi Mohammed, of Badarawa, Kaduna.

Efforts to apprehend the suspects and recover the stolen items are ongoing.

On the other hand, bandits launched another assault in the Safana council area of Katsina State on the evening of April 1. The attack targeted the Bajat and Dole villages, where the assailants opened fire around 6:30 p.m.

The onslaught claimed the life of Nura Baushe, a local vigilance commander, while three others – Amadu Dole, Surajo Shehu, and Shafiu Sulaiman – sustained gunshot wounds