John Shiklam in Kaduna and Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto<\/p>\n
Bandits\u2019 reign of terror has continued unabated in Sokoto and Kaduna States as 45 persons were reported killed yesterday.
\nAccording to Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, 16 persons were killed in a fresh banditry at Dalijan, Rakkoni and Kalhu communities in the Rabah Local Government Area of the state.<\/p>\n
The other 29 were reportedly killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen following a fresh attack on Karmai Village in Maro Ward, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
\nTambuwal spoke at a press conference in Sokoto and said the incident occurred on Monday night.<\/p>\n
Attacks by bandits, which started in the state on July 9 last year have led to the loss of 81 lives.
\nThe governor called on security agencies to intensify efforts at safeguarding the people\u2019s lives and property.<\/p>\n
Commiserating with the victims and their families, Tambuwal prayed Allah to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.
\nOn recent political developments in the state after the just-concluded presidential and National Assembly elections, Tambuwal expressed his concern that some politicians were indulging in do-or-die politics.<\/p>\n
The governor said the situation had negated calls for peaceful campaigns and elections devoid of thuggery.
\nHe said: \u201cDuring the elections, we experienced developments that clearly exhibited continued determination of the opposition to engage in do-or- die politics.<\/p>\n
\u201cLeaders and loyalists of our party, the PDP were harassed, hounded and arrested by security agents even on the election day.
\n\u201cThe opposition also engaged in post-election mayhem, with attacks and arson on law-abiding citizens.\u201d
\nHe added: \u201cMany properties and houses were razed in Wamakko and Kware towns as well as parts of Sokoto metropolis in a show of terror against perceived opponents and non-partisan members of the public.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to him, many polling units identified as PDP strongholds had logistic and technical problems, which delayed balloting to very late hours.
\n\u201cWe were aware of efforts to engage electoral officials and security agents by the opposition with a view to compromising their integrity.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese manifested through various machinations and techniques that included the late hour transfer of security officials and replacement of electoral officers.\u201d
\nHe emphasised that his administration was committed to free and fair elections, conducted in a peaceful atmosphere and freedom.
\n\u201cOur concern is greater victory through winning ballot boxes.
\n\u201cOur objective for seeking your mandate is for service to the society rather than proving our strength as we demand chance for our people to choose or reject us in their own free will.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tambuwal urged the populace to continue to be patient and law-abiding as more critical elections that had direct bearing to people\u2019s lives were coming in the next few days.<\/p>\n
He appealed to the people to re-commit themselves to the democratic process, stressing that people should prepare to come out and elect leaders of their choice.
\nThe governor said the people should not allow ourselves to be intimidated or terrorised to the extent of failing to discharge their civic duties in the remaining elections, scheduled for March 9.<\/p>\n
Bandits Kill 29 in Kaduna
\nIn a related development, 29 people have been reportedly killed by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen in a fresh attack on Karmai Village in Maro Ward, Kajuru LGA of Kaduna State.
\nThe attack was believed to be yet another reprisal over the recent killing of Fulani people in the area.
\nThe gunmen said to be in hundreds, were said to have invaded the community early yesterday (Tuesday) morning, shooting at people and burning houses.<\/p>\n
A source from the area who witnessed the attack, said the gunmen were dressed in military uniforms.
\nThe source added that the villagers attempted to repel the attackers, but could not withstand the superior fire power of the gunmen.
\n\u201cThe gunmen came this morning \u2013 over hundred of them. They were fully dressed in military uniforms. Initially, our people attempted to repel them, but they couldn\u2019t withstand the superior firepower of the Fulani,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The source said further that mobile policemen, who later arrived at the community, could not contain the situation as they were overwhelmed and had to retreat.<\/p>\n
He said a vehicle of the \u201cOperation Yaki,\u201d the state government security outfit that conveyed the mobile policemen to the area, was burnt by the rampaging herdsmen.
\nThe source said: \u201cMobile policemen came but also retreated, one Operation Yaki vehicle was burnt by the bandits.<\/p>\n
\u201cSoldiers have been deployed in the community and are engaging the Fulani. Fighting is still going on.
\n\u201cOur people have been killed and our houses have been burnt. For now, it is difficult to say how many people have been killed until the situation is calm.\u201d<\/p>\n
Former president of the Adara Development Association (ADA), Mr. Danladi Yarima, confirmed the attack, describing it as unfortunate.
\nHe called on the security agencies to act fast to stop the destruction of lives and property.
\nA community leader in the area, who pleaded anonymity, put the casualty figures at 29 in a telephone interview with THISDAY in Kaduna.
\nHe said one mobile policeman was among those killed by the rampaging gunmen.<\/p>\n
According to him, some of the corpses were burnt beyond recognition, adding that some of the villagers were still missing.
\n\u201cWe have recovered 28 corpses so far. Some were burnt beyond recognition. Several houses, including two Churches were burnt down.<\/p>\n
Some members of our community are still missing,\u201d he said.
\nHe, however, said the situation is relatively calm following the deployment of more security personnel in the community.
\nWhen contacted for his reaction via a text message, the spokesman of the Kaduna State Police Command, Mr. Yakubu Sabo, said he would get back, but he never did at the time of filling this report.<\/p>\n
Efforts to reach him on phone yielded no result as the call was not connecting.
\nThe Kaduna State Government while confirming the incident, said it was saddened by the attack and called on the communities to remain calm.
\nThe state government, in a statement by Mr. Samuel Aruwan, spokesman to Governor Nasir el-Rufai, condemned the recourse to violence.<\/p>\n
It said: \u201cThe Kaduna State Government has today (Tuesday) received the sad news of renewed attacks in Kajuru and Kachia local government areas.
\n\u201cThe government condemns this recourse to violence, and calls on all communities to support the efforts to restore calm in the area.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, the Kaduna State Government was briefed by security agencies of renewed attacks in Kajuru LGA, and in parts of neighbouring Kachia LGA.
\n\u201cThe Kaduna State Government has been assured that the security agencies are working assiduously to contain the situation.
\n\u201cThe government is saddened by these attacks, condemns the perpetrators and urges all residents of the area to support the security agencies in their efforts to protect communities.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
John Shiklam in Kaduna and Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto Bandits\u2019 reign of terror has continued unabated in Sokoto and Kaduna States as 45 persons were reported killed yesterday. According to Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, 16 persons were killed in a fresh banditry at Dalijan, Rakkoni and Kalhu communities in the Rabah Local Government […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":62,"featured_media":5507,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,30,28],"tags":[168,246,136,96,179],"class_list":["post-5503","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-community","category-homepage-english","tag-attack","tag-community","tag-death","tag-kaduna","tag-terror"],"yoast_head":"\n