KADUNA State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has confirmed the bandits attack on three communities in Kaura Local Government Area of the state in which seven locals were killed and 58 abducted.
But the police in the state denied that such attack occurred in Southern Kaduna.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, said the command had made several contacts in the said affected communities but there was no confirmation of the incident.
“It is not true, there was nothing like that because we have made contacts in the affected communities, there was nothing like that,” he said.
This was even as a source told our correspondent that no fewer than seven people were killed while 54 were feared kidnapped in an operation that lasted for hours by gunmen suspected to be bandits on Wednesday night in Dawaki Ward in Kauru Local Government Area of the state.
The three villages said to be affected include Ungwan Sako, Kunkurai, and Dokan Kaji.
At least, 34 of the locals were still in the bandits den while locals were said to have rescued 20 of the kidnapped victims.
A source said, “The bandits invaded these communities on foot and took positions.
“The bandits always come from parts of Kajuru and Kachia forest where their camp is. The camp is situated at Dutsen Magunguna in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state.
“Until the military raid the their camps situated around those areas, there can never be peace.”
Meanwhile, the governor said the state government received information that bandits attacked Dokan Karji general area of Kauru LG and other locations in Gefe general area of Kajuru LG.
According to the governor on his verified Facebook page on Friday, in these locations, lives were lost, some citizens were kidnapped and others were injured.
Sani condemned the attack, noting that the perpetrators of the crimes had no place in a civilised society.
He added that the authorities would go to any length to hunt the criminals down and eventually bring them to justice.
The governor said, “We have received information from security forces that a band of bandits attacked Dokan Karji general area of Kauru LG and other locations in Gefe general area of Kajuru LG.
“In these locations, lives were lost, some citizens were kidnapped and others injured in the unfortunate attacks.
“We condemn in the strongest terms these acts of savagery. The perpetrators of these heinous crimes have no place in a civilised society like ours. We shall go to any length to hunt them down and bring them to justice.
“The sole aim of these beasts in human skin is to reverse the gains the good people of Kaduna State have made in rebuilding trust, forging understanding and reviving the economies of conflict challenged communities.
“Our resolve to put Kaduna State on the path to sustainable peace and development is unshakeable. No amount of evil machinations will deter us.”
He added that “the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs have been working with the security forces towards containing the evil forces that left a trail of blood, tears and pains in these locations.
“The relevant state government agencies have been detailed to visit the affected communities, assess the extent of damages and advice the government on what should be done immediately to bring relief to the families of the victims and the communities.
“The government sends its deep condolences to the families that lost their loved ones. We wish the injured speedy recovery.
“Similarly, the Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs has met with the critical stakeholders from Bishini general area of Kachia LG following bandit attacks along the Kaduna-Niger inter state boundary. Issues highlighted have been noted to form part of the ongoing action in the anti -banditry campaign.”