Renewed Killings: Army Commander, Police boss moved to Southern Kaduna, El-Rufai.

Following news attacks at the weekend in Southern Kaduna which reports said left over 20 people dead, the Kaduna State Government on Monday announced that the Garrison Commander of the 1 Division of the Nigerian Army and the state’s Commissioner of Police have relocated to the southern part of the state.

A statement by Samuel Aruwan, the Special Assistant (Media and Publicity), to governor Nasir El-Rufai said the move is to enable Brigadier-General Ismaila Isa and CP Agyole Abeh coordinate a determined response to the attacks by armed bandits on communities in Kaura and Jema’a local government areas.

Sources said about 21 people were reportedly killed and several houses burnt in a fresh round of attacks on five southern Kaduna communities by suspected herdsmen.

The first rounds of attacks was said to have been launched at about 5:30 pm on Sunday in a community on Jema’a local government of the state while fresh attacks on four other communities in Kaura local government  were launched around 6:00 am on Monday.

The statement said Governor El-Rufai has extended his condolence to the families of the victims of the renewed attacks which began last night.

 The governor assured them that the government is fully committed to securing the area, with the active support of the army and the police.

The statement added that the two battalions of the army and the 10 mobile police squadrons are engaging the bandits, as the duty state carries out its obligations to secure the area, protect lives and rout these armed bandits.

“I have been in touch with the security agencies and I have been studiously following the situation in Jema’a and Kaura Local Government Areas over the unfortunate attacks” Governor El-Rufai said.

 “I want to, first of all, extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and relations that lost their loved ones and properties in these unfortunate attacks. My prayers and support equally goes to citizens that sustained injuries and are traumatized by what they witnessed” he said..

“This is clearly a wicked, evil and devilish act being perpetrated by enemies of peace and humanity.

“I also wish to commend our gallant soldiers and police personnel, who are defending our communities.

“The Kaduna State Government will continue to work assiduously with security agencies towards the protection of life and property,” El-Rufai added in the statement.

END.