By The Publisher
Kaduna State Government has confirmed the killing of 32 victims by bandits who attacked the villages of Dogon Noma, Ungwan Sarki and Ungwan Maikori in Kajuru Local Government Area on Sunday, June 5, 2022.
But it declared as false the reports that terrorists attacked the state residents aerially with the use of a helicopter.
In a statement on Thursday, June 9, the state Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said that the government reports from security agencies that the bandits stormed the area in large numbers on motorcycles and razed several houses as they attacked and killed locals.
He said that since the attack on Sunday, security agencies and traditional leaders in the locations had been updating the government on the development.
“As of the time of this report, 32 persons have been confirmed dead following the attack,” the Commissioner stated, listing the names of the casualties as Ahmadu Musa, Audu Dandaura, Akilu Laya, David Wasika, Hajatu Buhari, Nashon Buhari, Iliya Yaki, Javan Mairabo, Jackson Adamu, Nasco Victor, Dutse Gwamna, Joshua Amadi, Gona Isah, Douglas Yakubu, Phineas Joel, Tanimu Umaru, Abody Iliya, Wanzami Halidu, Dogo Aweh and Sunday Shittu, all from Dogon Noma Village.
Others from the same village were Rejoice Audu, Jedidiah Ayawa, Jinkai Pius, Rebecca Ayafa, Ishaya John, Audu Danladi, Jibo Sule, Yakubu Garba and Williams Danbaba.
Those from Ungwan Sarki Village were Maikasa Kufana and Augustine Bahago, while the only victim from Ungwan Maikori Village was Mamiya Maikori.
Hon. Aruwan added that while the government mourned the gruesome killing and burning of houses in the attacked locations, a report published suggesting that the victims of the attack were killed by terrorists using a helicopter was false.
According to him, “the Kaduna State Government wishes to make a clarification based on reports received since Sunday. The bandits attacked the first two locations and killed 31 citizens. They then headed into Ungwan Maikori, where they killed one person and burnt some houses.
“An Air Force helicopter (under Operation Whirl Punch) dispatched to the location, had earlier scanned the first two locations and sighted burnt houses and properties on fire.
“The helicopter intercepted the bandits at the last location (Ungwan Maikori) and engaged them as they retreated, before the arrival of ground troops to the general area.
It was the arrival of the air asset which deterred the bandits from further attacks on the citizens in the village, after the bandits had already killed one local and burnt several houses.
“The story that a helicopter provided air support to the bandits against the locals, is therefore an untrue account.
The Government of Kaduna State, having gone through all the facts, finds it regrettable that a section of media will circulate an unverified report, insensitive to its implications on national security, law and order.
“Eyewitnesses to the peddled report of a helicopter aiding bandits in the killing of innocent citizens are invited to present their accounts to the government with incontrovertible facts.
“The military, police and other agencies working in the general area deserve commendation and motivation, rather than demoralizing allegations.
“In the last 72 hours, security forces have conducted vigorous operations in the same general area, and are on the trail of a wounded notable terrorist.
“Similarly, several kidnapped victims, including an expatriate kidnapped at a mining site, were rescued after a fierce engagement with bandits.”
The state governor, Nasir El-Rufa’i, who expressed deep sadness on receiving reports of the attack, prayed for the repose of the victims’ souls, while he also conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims.
