Security operatives kill suspected bandit, rescue two victims in Katsina

• NSCIA, MURIC, Northern CAN, others condemn killing of Andimi

Security operatives have on Tuesday evening, shot and killed a notorious bandit, Yunusa Bako, in Matazu Local Council of Katsina State. Bako, who was among the group of bandits terrorising residents in Matazu and Danmusa local councils, was shot during a gun-battle at Gwarzo Forest.

The security operatives, consisting of police, military and repentant bandits, also rescued a kidnapped victim, Fidausi Yusuf, 30, and her seven-month-old baby, Amina.The incident, which was confirmed by the police in a statement, added that both victims had been united with their family members.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) yesterday condemned the barbaric killing of the abducted Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Michika Local Council of Adamawa State, Rev. Lawan Andimi, by the terror group Boko Haram.

Head of Media and Communication, Aselemi Ibrahim, said the Council condemned it in the strongest terms, saying that it is barbaric, provocative and a flagship example of man inhumanity to man.

Also, Director, Media and Strategic Communication, MPAC, Abdulwarees Solanke, said the Centre offered its sincere condolences to the family of the deceased and the Nigerian Christian community.

In the same vein, an Islamic rights group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has condemned the murder of Andimi, describing it as horrendous, ungodly and barbaric.

In a statement signed in Lagos yesterday, MURIC Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, stated that anyone who kills innocent people does not represent Islam.He said: “We are at a loss for words. This killing is horrendous, ungodly and barbaric. We condemn it in the strongest terms possible. We reiterate our earlier declaration that Boko Haram is not an Islamic group; rather, it is a group of misled zealots. Any group that kills at will and sheds the blood of innocent people cannot represent Islam.”

Besides, the Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), consisting of 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has condemned the killing of Andimi.

The Northern Christian Leader, Rev. Yakubu Pam, in a statement yesterday in Jos, lamented the recent beheading of Rev. Andimi in the hands of the Jihadists roaming the towns of the North-East region.He, therefore, accused Jihadist groups operating in the North-East of plotting to set northern Nigeria on fire with the recent attacks, kidnapping and killings of Christian faithful.