Protests As  Bandits Kill Two, Abduct Unspecified Number of People in Attack on Kaduna Community

Two people were reportedly killed while an unspecified number of persons were abducted in an attack by bandits on Anguwan Anguwan Auta, Gonin Gora area in Kaduna metropolis.
The bandits were said to have invaded the area on Wednesday night and went to at least 10 houses to kidnap people.
A resident of the area said the bandits who were in large numbers  were shooting sporadically with sophisticated weapons as they went from house to house.
He said two people were killed while several others whose number was yet to be ascertained were kidnapped..
He added that some youths who attempted to challenge the bandits also sustained injuries.
He said the youths were angry over the persistent bandits attack and decided to stage a protest on Thursday to draw government attention to the security challenges they face.
The angry youths blocked the Kaduna- Abuja highway for hours before they were dispersed by security personnel led by members of the state security council .
Mansir Hassan, spokesperson of the Kaduna state police command did not respond to telephone calls when contacted.
However, in a statement, Samuel Aruwan, Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna state,  warned against blockage of  public roads and harassing people by persons protesting.
He said the following the  blockage of the Gonin Gora axis of the Kaduna-Abuja Road  in response to reports of a bandit attack in Unguwan Auta of Gonin Gora general area, many commuters were denied access through the route.
“The Kaduna State Security Council has warned against blockage of public roads and harassment of innocent citizens by persons conducting protests,” the statement reads.
“This follows the blockage of the Gonin Gora axis of the Kaduna-Abuja Road by some protesters on Thursday morning, in response to reports of a bandit attack in Unguwan Auta of Gonin Gora general area, Chikun LGA, thus denying commuters access through the route.
“The members of the Security Council, comprising the Commissioner of Police, Audu Ali, Director of Department of State Services, Abdul Adamu Eneche, Garrison Commander, One Division Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Muhammad Kana, and the Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, in the company of security forces, dismantled the road blocks erected and subsequently opened up the road for use by motorists.”
Aruwan said “members of the Kaduna State Security Council while interacting with community leaders, expressed dissatisfaction with the menace of blocking roads, a situation which infringes on the rights of citizens and travelers using these roads and other public utilities.”
“As of the time of this security update, citizens and motorists are plying the Gonin Gora axis of Kaduna-Abuja Road without obstruction”, Aruwan added.

By John Shiklam in Kaduna

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