Bandits kill 30, abduct 15 in Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna

Peace commission convenes meeting over insecurity

Bandits on Sunday night struck in Zamfara State, abducting several students and teachers at the College of Agriculture and Animal Science in Bakura Local Council.

The institution’s registrar, Aliyu Bakura, told newsmen yesterday in Gusau that four persons, including a police officer and three gatemen, were killed in the attack.

According to the official, the attackers invaded the school premises with sophisticated weapons and abducted 15 students, a teacher and his wife along with two other employees.

The police spokesperson in the state, Muhammed Shehu, in a statement, however, said three of the abducted staff had been rescued by security agents.

He said the Commissioner of Police, Ayuba Elkana, accompanied by strategic and tactical commanders, had also visited the school.

The force said a large number of bandits raided the college at midnight, “but were heavily confronted by the tactical police operatives, who were alerted and mobilised to the scene on time.”

Shehu added: “Unfortunately, a Police Inspector and two other civilian guards lost their lives, while 15 students and four staff were abducted by the bandits.”

Two staff members and one of the students abducted have escaped and returned to the college. This was disclosed by the Deputy Provost, Ali Atiku.
 
“As I am talking to you now, we have formally discovered that the bandits have kidnapped 15 students all of them male, three women and one person who are also our staff and killed two of our security watchmen,” he added.
 

During the parley that had delegates from Chawai, Fulani, Irigwe, Hausa and representatives of the palace, Permanent Commissioner in the commission, Hajia Khadijah Hawaja Gambo, charged the participants on patriotism and peace.

MEANWHILE, a mother and her newborn have been identified among 13 persons killed on Sunday by hoodlums in Randa, Dansadau District of Maru council area of the state.

Most of the victims were burnt to death in their houses while doing ablution, a community leader confirmed.
In Katsina, no fewer than 10 people persons got killed and scores injured following onslaughts on a number of communities in three council areas of the state.

This is even as dozens of youths, yesterday morning at Yantumaki community in Dutsinma Local Council, took to the streets to protest against the raging insecurity in the area.

The gunmen, in the wee hours of yesterday, attacked Amarawu village in Dutsinma council, where they killed two people and wounded dozens.

Over the weekend, the bandits also attacked several communities in Matazu council area, where they eliminated four people, including the village head of Dagul community, Mallam Rabi’u Matazu. One of the them, nevertheless, met his Waterloo, as he was slaughtered by some stubborn residents.

Same time, attackers invaded some communities in Musawa council area, killing three people and injuring a good number of others.

In all the assaults, the attackers stole money, handsets, foodstuffs and other valuables. They also rustled animals and set numerous homes ablaze.

ALSO yesterday, an attack in Goran Gida, Gora District of Zangon Kataf council area of Kaduna State claimed three lives and injured one person.

Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, who made the disclosure in a statement, explained that the attackers struck on Sunday night, killing the following persons: “Amos Bulus, Bulus Swam and Simon Akut.”

He added that one Kezia (full name unknown) was injured and “is receiving treatment. One car was burnt by the assailants.”