2 soldiers, several others killed as gunmen attack Kaduna village

GUNMEN, on Thursday morning, attacked Kwasakwasa village in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing several people, including security personnel.
The attack, which came four days after a similar one on three villages in the area, was said to have occurred at about 6.00 a.m.
A resident of Kwasakwasa, located about 70 kilometres from Birnin Gwari, Malam Isa Jatau, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview in Kaduna that four vehicles belonging to security personnel were also burnt.
He said several other villagers and security men were injured, but added that the bravery of soldiers and other security officers helped to fend off the attackers.
The secretary of the local government, Alhaji Zubairu Zakariya, confirmed the attack on the village, but said details on the casualty was being compiled.



He said that the chairman of the council, Alhaji Idris Alhassan, had helped to convey the victims of the attack to Birnin Gwari General Hospital.
The state Police Commissioner, Mr Olufemi Adenaike, told NAN that he was awaiting details on the incident.
However, the military authorities in Kaduna confirmed the killing of two soldiers during the attack on Thursday morning.
“Villages around Birnin Gwari had, in recent times, been invaded by gangs of bandits who terrorised the locals at will and had sacked the entire Gwaska and Goron Dutse village four days ago, killing four and burning half of the village.
“The latest attack occurred at about 6.00 a.m on Thursday and two soldiers died,” spokesman of the Army in Kaduna, Colonel Sani Usman, told reporters on phone.
Already, more soldiers had been deployed in the troubled area, to restore peace and order.
Meanwhile, the state governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Yero, has reassured the people of the state of the commitment of his administration to the protection of lives and properties.
Yero stated this after a visit to Birnin Gwari, after the attack on the area by unknown gunmen.
In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Ahmed Maiyaki, Yero said the state government would be collaborating with Zamfara and Niger states, as well as the Federal Government, to address the incessant killings in Birnin Gwari villages and restore security breakdown in the area.
Yero said seven people were confirmed killed by the gunmen in the three villages affected, adding that he spoke with the displaced people and urged them to return to their houses.
“Two days ago, I had an opportunity of meeting with the Zamfara State governor to see how we can address the situation, we have also discussed with Niger State government to see how we can go about it and from there, we would meet with the Federal Government to find lasting solution to the problem,” he said.
Governor Yero, who went to the villages by helicopter, said he was also in discussion with security agents to see how to fortify the whole area and address the security challenges facing the people.
On the provision of relief materials, Governor Yero said the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) had already carried out an assessment in the area and had provided foodstuff and mattresses to the victims.