Tears in Kaduna as bandits slaughter 19 persons

No fewer than 19 persons have been confirmed dead after bandits invaded Kutemeshi community in the Birnin-Gwari area of Kaduna State.

The bandits, who attacked the community on Saturday, operated for two hours as they shot indiscriminately at residents of the community.

A resident said several calls to security agencies were unattended to, leaving the people at the mercy of the bandits.

He said only a few volunteer vigilantes responded to the emergency calls after the bandits had retreated to the bush.

“Early Sunday morning, 19 people were confirmed dead, while several others were injured and many people still missing. Those killed are set for burial,” Bashir Lawal, who narrowly escaped death, told Sahara Reporters.

“We called several times for security reinforcements, but only a handful of volunteer vigilantes came after the bandits had retreated to the bush around 7pm yesterday.

“In recent days, armed bandits had displaced thousands of people from different communities in various parts of Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.”

The Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the incident on Sunday.

He said only 14 bodies had been recovered. He listed the names of people killed as Malan Sani Barume, Yahaya Bello, Amadu Dan Korau, Samaila Niga, Jamilu Haruna, Lawal Majiya, Dan Malam Rabo, Dauda Kafinta, Hassan Mai Makani, Bashir Haruna, Lawal Ali, Mu’azu Haruna, Mai Unguwa Sa’adu and Harisu Bako.

He added that those who sustained injuries had been taken to a neighbouring state closer to Kutemeshi for urgent medical attention.

“Some shops were also looted with valuable items carted away,” Aruwan said.

“Some of the injured (persons) have been moved to a neighbouring state closer to Kutemeshi for urgent medical attention, while others are in transit to an orthopaedic hospital in Kaduna.

“So far, only the 14 corpses have been recovered from Kutemeshi. The Kaduna State Government will provide updates on any emerging developments.”

The deadly attack comes barely three days after six persons were burnt to death during a bandits-induced auto crash in the same local government area of the state.