Thirty people were killed and several houses razed in a fresh bandit attack on Runji village in the Zangon Kataf local government area of Kaduna State. The assault occurred at about 10 p.m. on Saturday night, barely three days after bandits killed eight people in the Atak’Njei community, also in Zangon Kataf.
Local guards on vigil engaged the invaders, but the swift intervention of military operatives was required to repel the attackers. Residents praised the rapid military response, saying that without it the whole community could have been wiped out.
Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the incident and noted that Governor Nasir El‑Rufai condemned the attack, which resulted in multiple deaths. Aruwan said the military had informed the state government that the attack left several residents injured and an unspecified number of houses burnt down. Troops had a fierce encounter with the attackers and remained in the area while a detailed report was prepared.
Governor El‑Rufai received the preliminary report in the early hours of Sunday and condemned the killings as unacceptable and unjustifiable. He expressed condolences to the families of the victims, prayed for the repose of the deceased, and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. The Kaduna State government will update the public once detailed reports are received from the security agencies.
Sam Timbuwak Achie, National President of the Atyap Community Development Association (ACDA), confirmed that some bandits were killed by soldiers and vigilantes who responded promptly and engaged the criminals in a gun battle. He added that the casualty figure would have been higher without the soldiers’ intervention.
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