The Kaduna State Government said it has received initial reports from security agencies about Sunday’s bandits’ attack on Dogon Noma, Ungwan Sarki, and Ungwan Maikori villages in Kajuru Local Government Area (LGA).
According to a recent statement signed by Samuel Aruwan, the Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State, obtained by POLITICS NIGERIA, 32 persons have been confirmed dead following the attack.
While the Government mourned the gruesome killing and burning of houses in the attacked locations, it said a report suggesting that the victims of the attack were killed by terrorists using a helicopter, was untrue.
“The Kaduna State Government wishes to make a clarification based on reports received since Sunday. The bandits attacked the first two locations and killed 31 citizens. They then headed into Ungwan Maikori, where they killed one person and burnt some houses,” the government’s statement reads.
“An Air Force helicopter (under Operation Whirl Punch) dispatched to the area, had earlier scanned the first two locations and sighted burnt houses and properties on fire.
“The helicopter intercepted the bandits at the last location (Ungwan Maikori) and engaged them as they retreated, before the arrival of ground troops to the general area.
“It was the arrival of the air asset which deterred the bandits from further attacks on the citizens in the village, after the bandits had already killed one local and burnt several houses.
“The story that a helicopter provided air support to the bandits against the locals, is therefore an untrue account.
“The Government of Kaduna State having gone through all the facts, finds it regrettable that a section of media would circulate an unverified report, insensitive to its implications on national security, law and order.
“Eyewitnesses to the peddled report of a helicopter aiding bandits in the killing of innocent citizens are invited to present their accounts to the Government-backed by incontrovertible facts.”
