Southern Kaduna: 13 killed in renewed attack

SUSPECTED armed bandits have killed 13 people in Asso village of Kagoma chiefdom of Jama’a local government area of Kaduna State.

Reliable a source told the Tribune Online that the attack took place about 7:30pm on Saturday.

Finding gathered that the bandits invaded the village in a commando style and started shooting sporadically killing 13 people in the process, while several others sustained serious injuries.

Source revealed that the attackers were heavily armed, adding that the operation lasted for about 30 minutes without any help from the security agencies deployed to the area in December last year to stop the persistent killings.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has condemned the attack.

The governor’s condemnation was contained in a statement issued by his spokesman, Samuel Aruwan on Monday.

El-Rufai condoled with the families of the victims and urged security agencies to redouble their efforts in fishing out the culprits and bring them to justice.

He called on communities in the area to support the military who would soon embark on a special operation in the area to flush out the bandits from their hideouts to ensure that the exercise is successful.

The statement said “agencies responsible for emergency services had been directed to offer relief to victims of the attack.

“The governor requested support from communities to the security agencies as the Nigerian Army gets set to commence a major operation tagged ‘Operation Harbin Kunama II’, including assisting the Nigerian Army with vital information that could aid a successful clampdown on elements responsible for this terror attacks on our citizens,” the statement ‎urged. ‎