In Bauchi: Bandits Kill Two Soldiers, A Vigilante and one other...As Gov. Bala visits trouble areas
No fewer than two gallant soldiers attached to the 33 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Bauchi and two others were massacred during a violent encounter with terrorists at Gwana district in Alkaleri Loacal Government Area (LGA) of the State.
According to the Bauchi State Police Command spokesman, SP Nafiu Habib, the killing of the soldiers and vigilante followed a terror attack Sunday on a village community and the Joint Task Force (JTF) Base at Gwana district of the Alkaleri LGA
SP Habib who revealed that three members of the affected community were also abducted, as seven bandits were neutralized by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Police (AKU) during the gun duel.”
Command Police Public Relations Officer Habib further disclosed that, already additional security forces have been deployed to the security prone area to restore order, protect displaced civilians, and prevent further attacks on innocent citizens.
The police press statement stated that the state commissioner of police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu has assured the public that monitoring and intelligence gathering are ongoing to track and arrest the fleeing assailants and rescue victims.
Meanwhile, residents of the affected areas have started moving em-masse to neighbouring states of Gombe, Plateau and Adamawa following the recent attacks by bandits that culminated to the killing of innocent villagers.
A source from the area who pleaded anonymity confirmed that throughout last week, most of the villages in the district area were attacked by the bandits killing some people and inflicting serious injuries on many residents of the area
The source explained that some of the villagers have already deserted their settlements for fear of being attacked by the bandits in the absence of security personnel in the area, and appealed for quick intervention by the state government and security agencies in order to restore sanity in the villages.
Bauchi Governor, Muhammad, visited trouble areas in Ghana district, Alkaleri LGA
In a related development Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad, declared that security apparatus in the State has been overwhelmed by bandits and other criminal elements who seemed to be more sophisticated in their armoury.
The Governor therefore called for urgent support by the Federal Government through deployment of more troops and weapons to the Gwana and Duguri areas of Alkaleri LGA where the bandits are having a full time killing and abducting people.
Muhammad was speaking on when he paid an on-the-spot assessment visit to the areas following a deadly attack by armed bandits on Sunday leading to deaths, injuries and abduction of people.
He pledged full support to strengthen security operations of vigilante groups in Gwana District following the death of Four people including Two Soldiers, One Vigilante and one resident.
The bandits were said to be over 100, well armed and riding on motorbikes in twos during the attack while the people were asleep at the mid of the night.
During the sympathy visit, the Governor praised vigilantes for preventing the criminals from overrunning residents in nearby settlements.
He assured victims that the state government would take full responsibility for medical bills of those injured, reaffirming commitment to protect lives and restore normalcy across affected communities without delay.
The Governor said that he has briefed President Bola Ahmad Tinubu on the incident, noting that the President has pledged to complement Bauchi State Government’s efforts in addressing criminality and enhancing security operations across the state.
He noted that although Bauchi State had significantly reduced banditry in areas such as Toro, Ningi, Ganjuwa, Jama’are and other parts of the State, the resurgence of attacks in Duguri remained a serious concern
He however commended the courage of the Kafin Duguri people, noting that their resistance forced the attackers to flee just as he described the community as resilient and deeply rooted in their ancestral land, where farming remains the major source of livelihood.
He said that banditry has been largely curtailed in other parts of the State but stressed that the government will not rest until peace is fully restored in Duguri and surrounding areas.
State Commissioner of Police Sani-Omolori Aliyu, assured to deploy additional personnel to the troubled areas, urging vigilantes to work closely with police and other security agencies for successful operations.
The Emir of Duguri, Alhaji Adamu Muhammad Duguri, commended the State Government for timely provision of relief materials to the victims and reaffirmed support for coordinated security measures.
He appealed for sustained security presence and greater government support to prevent future attacks and ensure lasting peace in the area.
Also speaking during the visit, the Village Head of Kafin Duguri informed the Governor and his entourage that the attackers, who reportedly came from the Dajin Madam axis, invaded the community in large numbers, killing four men.
He appealed for increased security presence and government intervention to prevent further attacks.
