Gunmen kill nine persons, injure five in Kaduna

• Troops neutralise two bandits
• Govt extends ban on okada, tricycles
• Police recover 109 anti-aircraft guns in Katsina

Security forces have reported that nine persons have been killed, five injured and animals rustled by bandits in three attacks across Igabi and Zaria local councils.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, made this known in a statement, yesterday. Aruwan said, according to the first report, that bandits attacked Kudu da Gari settlement in Sabon Birni, in Igabi, and killed seven residents. He continued: “Four others were left critically injured, and were rushed to a medical facility for treatment.”

According to the commissioner, in another incident, bandits invaded a herders’ settlement called Ruga Goshe, in Igabi, shot one Auwal Koshe dead and rustled many goats and sheep.

CONSEQUENTLY, the state government has extended the ban on use of commercial motorcycles, known as okada, till further notice.

In a security update, yesterday, Aruwan said that other containment measures introduced last year were still in force.
The containment measures listed by the commissioner included ban on wielding dangerous weapons, restriction on the movement of tricycles from 7p.m to 6a.m in Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Igabi, Chikun, Kachia, Kagarko and Kajuru local councils.

IN a related development, the Katsina State police command said it recovered 109 Anti-Aircraft Ammunition and arrested 999 suspects in various operations across the state in 2021.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Gambo Isa, disclosed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), yesterday, in Katsina, that the command also recovered various arms and ammunition during the period.

He listed some of the arms to include four General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), 44 AK-47 rifles, one Light Automatic Rifle (LAR) rifle, one G3 rifle, 20 locally-made guns and 689 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
Isa said that 1,243 domestic animals, including 867 cows, 352 sheep, 24 goats and one donkey were also recovered.

“Some of the suspects include armed robbers, kidnappers, cattle rustlers. A total of 157 suspected armed robbers were arrested and 145 of the suspects were charged to court while the remaining 12 are under investigation.

“Also, 65 suspected kidnappers were arrested and 63 charged to court, while the remaining two are under investigation.

“In the course of this campaign, 38 suspected bandits were neutralised in various gun battles, while five police officers paid the supreme price,” Isa said.