Bandits killed 14 miners in Birnin Gwari

ARMED bandits had in the early hours of Saturday afternoon stormed Janruwa community in Birnin-Gwari local government area of Kaduna State, killing 14 local miners, while several others sustained serious injuries.

Sources informed the Nigerian Tribune that the armed bandits approached the mining site around 12, 45 pm on that fateful day and opened fire on the miners.

‘In a cruel and inhuman manner, the bandits burnt many of their victims beyond recognition, sources said.

Findings revealed that at Jibril Maigwari General Hospital, Birnin-Gwari the first set of casualties( seven dead bodies) were already deposited at the mortuary while those injured numbering 13 people with gunshots were receiving treatment.

It was gathered that another set of seven bodies was been conveyed to the hospital, three other people were on referral to Kaduna due to the severity of the gunshots they sustained.

The casualty figure may rise as security men and volunteers are on their way to the village which was closed to old Birnin-Gwari along Birnin-Gwari-Funtua road.

It was not clear why the bandits stormed the mining site but sources said they were on revenge mission over the alleged killings of their gang members by local vigilantes.

Sources maintained that, while Kaduna-Birnin Gwari highways and adjoining villages are relatively quiet from the attacks of armed bandits, Birnin-Gwari-Funtua road and Eastern part of the local government have continued to witness attacks, abduction and incessant killings by armed bandits.

‘We are once again under siege and need urgent intervention by both state and the federal government. he declared.

When contacted the state police commissioner, Austin Iwar confirmed the attack but was quick to add that the police were on top of the situation.

The police commissioner also disclosed that the police were yet to confirm the number of those killed.