Bandits have reportedly killed eight people in an attack on Atak’Njei community, Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna state.
Several others were said to have sustained injuries in the attack which occurred on Wednesday at about 9pm.
Atak’Njei is the community housing the Palace of the Agom Atyap, the paramount ruler of the Atyap people.
Francis Zimbo, Chairman of Zangon Kataf LGA, confirmed the incident saying that those who sustained injuries were taken to the hospital for treatment.
He decried the spades of attacks in the area in recent times and called on security agencies to up their game.
Also reacting to the incident, Sam Achie, National President, Atyap Community Development Association (ACDA), condemned the attack, describing it as barbaric.
He called on those saddled with the responsibility of securing the people to fish out those behind the frequent attacks and killings in Atyap land.
In another development troops of the Operation Forest Sanity, have intercepted a large quantity of ammunition being conveyed to bandits by courier around Polewire in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna state.
Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Kaduna.
He said security reports made available to the Kaduna state government indicated the ammunitions were interception
following credible intelligence information around gunrunning activities.
“In another significant breakthrough, troops of Operation Forest Sanity have intercepted a large quantity of ammunition being conveyed to bandits by a courier around Polewire in Birnin Gwari LGA”, the statement reads.
“According to a report forwarded to the Kaduna State Government, the troops followed up on credible intelligence around gunrunning activities, and in the course of diligent checks stopped a suspicious-looking vehicle within the location of interest.
“A search of the intercepted vehicle – a black Toyota Corolla, revealed more than 2,000 rounds of various grades of ammunition, concealed in different parts of the car.
“After a thorough search of the vehicle, the following precise quantities (of ammunition) were recovered:
1,079 rounds of 7.62mm, special ammunition, 886 rounds of 7.62mm belted ammunition, 139 rounds of 7.62mm tracer ammunition and five empty AK-47 magazines”.
Aruwan said the driver of the vehicle, one Aminu Abdullahi, was arrested for further investigations.
He said Governor Nasir El-Rufai noted the report with satisfaction, and thanked the troops for their proactiveness in denying bandits a major supply of ammunition meant to mete out more destruction and suffering.
“The governor warmly appreciated the leadership of the General Officer Commanding, One Division, Nigerian Army, Major General T.A. Lagbaja, for the latest notable breakthrough recorded.
“Governor El-Rufai charged the security forces to proceed with a thorough investigation of the arrested suspect, and intensify efforts towards dismantling gunrunning networks across the State and beyond”, the statement said.
