Troops deployed in Southern Kaduna as gunmen kill 12 in fresh attack

THE Kaduna State security council said it has deployed troops to Ungwan Pa-Gwandara in Jema’a Local Government Area of the state as unidentified gunmen allegedly killed 12 persons in the village at the weekend.

Reports from the area said  21 other persons were seriously injured during the attack by the gunmen.

An eye-witness account claimed that at about 7:30 to 8pm, heavy armed herdsmen invaded the community during a wedding and opened fire, allegedly killing 12 people instantly.

The news about the deployment of the troops to the troubled community was contained in a statement yesterday by Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity, Samuel Aruwan.

The statement reads: “The deployment of troops is intended to further secure the area and provide the atmosphere for extensive investigation of the sad incident, and the apprehension and prosecution of the culprits.

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“Criminal elements must not be allowed to divide people and wantonly take lives. The governor has sent a message of condolence to the community, expressing his deep sadness at the loss of lives and his sympathy for the victims and their families.”

The governor, according to the statemen, urged anybody with useful information on the attack to contact and make same available to the security agencies nearest to them.

It said: “The governor has also directed the affected council and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to work towards taking care of victims receiving medical attention and provide relief materials to the community.”