Villagers have apprehended two of the bandits who allegedly attacked a farming community along Abuja-Kaduna highway in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
A statement issued on Saturday by Mr Samuel Aruwan, the Kaduna state Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, confirmed the incident but said that one of the bandits later died following severe beating.
According to Aruwan, the villagers pursued and apprehended two of the suspects.
“However, due to the severe beating administered by the villagers, one of the suspects died from injuries sustained. The other remains in critical condition, in the custody of troops,” the commissioner said.
He also said that security operatives had neutralised bandits in an air operation in Birnin Gawri Local Government Area of the state.
He indicated that the raid was in continuation of offensives over identified bandit hideouts in the area.
“According to operational feedback to the state government, armed reconnaissance was carried out over Sani Maichuku, Alhaji Chorki, Sangeku, Zabiya, Dutsen Magaji, Kotonkoro and adjoining settlements.
“At Sani Maichuku, several bandit settlements were sighted, and were engaged as some bandits attempted to escape on three motorcycles.
“Similarly, at Alhaji Chokri, bandits were sighted on five motorcycles with herds of cattle, and were duly neutralised by the fighter jet crew.
“Communication was maintained with ground troops particularly at Zabiya and Gwaska, but no suspicious activity was reported in those locations,” the commissioner said.
He said that Gov. Nasir El-Rufai commended the military for another successful round of operations in the Birnin Gwari area and praised their sustained efforts to deny bandits freedom of action.
“The governor enjoins communities to embrace full recourse to the law in cooperating with security operatives as self-help is always a dangerous option,” he said.
