Bandits raze church, kill two, abduct scores in Kaduna

Some bandits have invaded Mahu village in Gwagwada ward of Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing two and kidnapping scores of the people of the area.

The bandits also attacked and razed the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church in the area.

The state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the attack, saying that thirteen of those kidnapped in the area were rescued by the troops of Operation Thunder Strike.

He gave the identity of those killed as Ezekiel Iliya and Nasara Yohanna, whom he claimed were volunteers, adding that “after the operations, the troops discovered that the bandits had shot two volunteers before their arrival.”

According to the Commissioner, the bandits also burnt a church and looted some houses in the area.

Aruwan, in a statement titled, ‘Troops rescue 13 kidnapped persons from bandits after a fierce gun duel in Chikun LGA,’ said ‘troops have reported the rescue of 13 kidnapped persons from bandits in Gwagwada, Chikun local government area.

“The 13 citizens, originally from Dutse, went to work at a farm called Tanadi Farm, which is located around Bakin Kasuwa in Gwagwada general area of Chikun LGA. They were attacked by the armed bandits in the process.

“Troops on receiving credible intelligence of the abduction trailed the bandits to a forest near Bana village and there engaged them in a gun duel. The 13 citizens were thus rescued. They are listed as follows: Kenth Yusuf , Izra Ali , Josiah Luka, Istifanus Suman, Helen Ibrahim , Justina Gofwen, Ibrahim Madaki , Biyaya Yusuf, Sani Bello, Lucy Dada, Anayi Ezekiel, Benjamin Daniel and Musa Usman

Receiving the report, Governor Nasir El-Rufai thanked the troops and commended them warmly for the successful rescue operation. He also commiserated with the families of the deceased volunteers and prayed for the repose of their souls.

The Governor also extended his sympathy to the leadership and members of the razed church over the unfortunate attack, and directed the State Emergency Management Agency to conduct an immediate assessment of the damage.