Pascal Arogorn Ibe
Some bandits killed no fewer than nine travellers, including infants, in Zankoro village along Birnin Gwari – Kaduna highway on Sunday.
Also , a total of 11 people were kidnapped by the bandits on the same day at Dan Kungi village in the Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State .
This was contained in a statement by the chairman of the Birnin – Gwari Progressives Union, Mr Salisu Haruna , on Monday .
The statement titled, ‘ Alarming rise of banditry and killings in Birnin Gwari general area , ’ added that more than 40 persons were abducted by the bandits between December 20, 2020 and January 4, 2021, adding that “ some of them ( abductees ) , have been reported terribly ill. ”
The statement read in part, “ The New Year 2021 has begun in sorrow and tears for the people of Birnin – Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State .
“ On Sunday , 3rd January, 2021, bandits laid siege on innocent travellers at Zankoro, along dreaded Birnin -Gwari – Kaduna Highway, killing nine people ( including three infants) that are on their way for a ceremony at Doka , Birnin -Gwari LGA.
“ Similarly , the bandits came out today, Monday , January 4, 2021 at the same Zankoro around 9am , shooting indiscriminately and abducting unspecified number of people and wounding six others that are now receiving treatment at Buruku .
“ In the last two weeks , bandits terrorising the people of Birnin Gwari , especially those travelling along Birnin Gwari -Funtua and Birnin Gwari -Kaduna highways have become intensely aggressive as they continue to kill and abduct innocent citizens unabated .
“ There are more than 40 abductees currently at the mercy of the bandits who were kidnapped between December 20, 2020 and Monday January 4, 2021; some of them have been reported terribly ill .
“ A total of nine innocent travellers were killed at Zankoro along Birnin Gwari -Kaduna highway on Sunday , January 3, 2021. A total of 11 people were kidnapped at Dan Kungi village on Sunday January 3, 2021.
“ BEPU, therefore , calls on the government to deploy immediate response squad to mount offensive operations along Birnin Gwari , Kaduna and Birnin Gwari – Funtua highways. ”
However, a call put across to the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Jalige , rang out and there was no reply to a text message sent to his mobile phone.
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