Bandits kill nine people, including three children, kidnap 40 along Kaduna – Birnin Gwari Highway

No fewer than nine persons have been killed, including three infants at Zankoro, Kaduna State, on Monday.

The gunmen report says returned on Monday and kidnaped 11 people and injured six others in Dan Kungi, Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna.

Chairman, Birnin Gwari Emirates Progressives Union (BEPU), Salisu Haruna, said bandits have carried out a series of killings and kidnappings in the area and on the Birnin Gwari-Kaduna and Birnin Gwari-Funtua highways.

According to him, at least 40 people were kidnapped between December 20 and yesterday and are still being held.

He said: “On Sunday, armed bandits laid siege on innocent travellers at Zankoro, along the dreaded Birnin Gwari – Kaduna Highway, killing nine people (including three infants) who were on their way to a ceremony at Doka, Birnin Gwari Local Government.

“The bandits came out today (yesterday) at the same Zankoro at about 9.00 am, shooting sporadically.

“They abducted an unspecified number of people and wounded six others now receiving treatment at Buruku along Kaduna – Birnin Gwari Highway.

“In the last two weeks, bandits have been terrorising the people of Birnin Gwari, especially those travelling along Birnin Gwari -Funtua and Birnin Gwari Kaduna.

“BEPU frowns at the seeming laissez-faire attitude towards banditry in Birnin Gwari area by the government.

“From December 20 to January 4, bandits have mercilessly terrorised the people of Birnin Gwari, kidnapping over 40 of them at homes, farms and during travels.”