*Fear Of Fresh Upsurge Of Terrorism In Vulnerable Areas
By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
At least seven persons, including a one-year-old baby, were reportedly killed while eight others suffered injuries in an attack by suspected armed bandits on Angwan Rimi community, Kamaru ward, Kauru Local Government Area (LGA) of Southern part of Kaduna State.
Local sources identified those killed in the Sunday night attack as Zaka, 12; Felicia, 30; Margaret, 5; Veronica, 25; Delight, 1; Yakubu 15; and Sati, 9, respectively. People&Politics is withholding their full names for reasons of safety of their relations.
The injured are reportedly receiving treatment at nearby health facilities.
Residents of Angwan Rimi condemned the attack and described it as “wicked and inhuman,” urging security agencies to bolster protection for vulnerable communities.
“We sympathize with the families of the deceased and pray for the swift recovery of the injured,” said a representative of the Irigwe Development Association (IDA), Kamaru Branch.
“We call on the Federal Government, Kaduna State Government, and Kauru Local Government to intervene urgently to ensure the safety of lives and property”, locals stated.
The IDA assured residents that security operatives have been notified and urged calm during the period of mourning.
The attack followed a recent escalation of banditry in Kaduna, highlighted by an August 16 report titled ‘Why Banditry May Be Returning to Kaduna’ by ace security analyst and ace counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola.
On August 3, Musa Kachallah, a repentant bandit leader who had embraced peace, was killed.
His killing is believed to have triggered retaliatory attacks by bandit groups, who view the state’s amnesty program as insincere or poorly implemented.
Security experts have urged intensified surveillance in high-risk areas, including Chikun, Kauru, Giwa, Makarfi along the Zaria-Kano highway, and Kajuru LGAs.
The Kaduna State government has yet to issue a statement on the recent surge in violence.
Contracted, Kaduna State Police spokesman, Deputy Superintendent (DSP) Mansir Hassan was yet to respond to our request for reaction as of press time.
