President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), to track down, apprehend and bring to justice the perpetrators of the Kasuwan Daji attack in Agwara local government area of Niger state.
He also directed security agencies to rescue all the abducted victims urgently.
President Tinubu issued the directives Sunday in response to the recent killings of villagers in Niger state by terrorists suspected to be fleeing from Sokoto and Zamfara following the United States’ air strike on Christmas Eve.
President Tinubu strongly condemned the attack on the community and the abduction of women and children.
He sent his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, as well as the government and people of Niger state.
“These terrorists have tested the resolve of our country and its people. They must, therefore, face the full consequences of their criminal actions. No matter who they are or what their intent is, they must be hunted down. They, and all those who aid, abet, or enable them in any form, will be caught and brought to justice,” the president said.
He assured the people of the state that security agencies have been mandated to intensify operations around vulnerable communities, particularly those near the forests that have served as hideouts for criminal elements.
Tinubu urged Nigerians to remain united and resolute in the face of this tragedy and cautioned against divisive rhetoric that could undermine national security and cohesion during this challenging period.
“These times demand our humanity. We must stand together as one people and confront these monsters in unison. United, we can and must defeat them, deny them any sanctuary. We must reclaim the peace and security of these attacked communities,” the president said.
…The attack
Blueprint reports that the bandits killed no fewer than 42 persons and abducting scores of persons including some of the school children who recently regained their freedom.
The terrorists, according to sources, had laid siege to the communities since the new year eve, attacking the villages with impunity.
A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said: “For the last one week, they came angrily and attacked communities at will and this is because there is no security presence here. They killed 37 people in Kasuwa Daji near Papiri, another 5 in Kaima village and abducted many people, including children. Some of these children abducted are pupils and students of the same St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary schools, Papiri in Agwara who were recently freed.”
He called on government and security agencies to come to the rescue of the communities, adding that, “we have serious crisis across the river where the students were abducted.”
According to him, the terrorists also attacked a market in session from where most of the villagers were brutally murdered in what appeared to be summary execution.
“They came out of the forest for about a week now, wreaking havoc on the villages. Just yesterday (Saturday) alone, they burnt one particular market and abducted so many people, including children. They also invaded a market, carted away food items, burnt down shops and killed scores of villagers,” added the source.
…Catholic Church confirms attack
Confirming the attack in the Catholic mission house, the Director of Communications, Catholic Church of Kontagora Diocese, Rev. Father Stephen Kabirat, said the terrorists have killed over forty persons and taken into captivity some persons.
He said: “Our Parish Priest narrowly escaped abduction when the terrorists visited our Mission House three days ago, they destroyed some religious items in the church, carted away two motorbikes and cash worth over two hundred thousand Naira (N200, 000).
“They were looking for the Priest but luckily he escaped, but they abducted some villagers including children.”
Also speaking, another villager said: “I am appealing to the relevant authorities to quickly rescue us. As I am talking to you, some of the villages where the abducted school children come from, have been sleeping in the bushes since their return because of activities of the terrorists”
…Police too
In a similar confirmation, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state command, SP Wasiu Abiodun said: “At about 4:30pm on Saturday, suspected Bandits from the National Park Forest along Kabe District invaded Kasuwan Daji located at Demo Village via Kabe, killed over 30 persons, burnt the market and looted shops and carted away food items,” adding that a joint security team has visited the scene and efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims.
…It’s sad, cruel – Bago
Condemning the attack, Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago described it as nefarious and cruel.
In a statement Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the governor “extends his deepest sympathy to the people of the affected communities, especially the victims and their families.”
“The victims of the attack at the Kasuwan Daji, Market, Sukumbara Village, are both Muslims and Christians drawn from different communities in Borgu local government area of the state,” he said.
The governor said: “it is disturbing and worrying to start the year with such unfortunate incidents. However, I enjoined the people to remain resolute in God and that this administration is collaborating with the federal government and security agencies to improve the security of the affected areas.”
He said a joint security team was trailing the terrorists with a view to rescuing the kidnapped victim.
The governor prayed for the “repose the souls of the departed, rescue the kidnapped victims, and grant healing to the injured as well as restore livelihoods that were destroyed.”
…Air strike kills 23 fleeing bandits
Meanwhile, troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF), supported by the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma, have neutralised no fewer than 23 bandits fleeing Kano state.
They fled after coordinated attacks on Shanono and Tsanyawa local government areas of the state.
In a statement Sunday by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Maj. Zubairu Babatunde, in Kano, the JTF said the bandits launched the attacks on the night of Thursday extending into the early hours of Friday.
According to the statement, the ground troops successfully contained the attacks and inflicted heavy casualties on the assailants before tracking the fleeing bandits to Karaduwa village in Matazu local government area of neighbouring Katsina state.
Intelligence reports, it said, revealed that the bandits had gathered at Dan Marke in Matazu local government area to bury some of their members killed during the encounter with troops.
“The Air Component Sector 2 Operation Fansan Yamma located the bandits and trailed their movement until their motorcycles converged after crossing a dry river bed.
“A precision air strike was thereafter conducted, resulting in the neutralisation of at least 23 terrorists, while several others were believed to have sustained injuries,” Babatunde said.
The operation, said the statement, supported by aerial Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, also led to the destruction of several weapons and equipment belonging to the bandits.
Babatunde also quoted the Commander, 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, as saying the Air Component and ground troops’ “bravery and resilience in the face of adversity are commendable.”
While describing the security situation in Kano state as calm, he said troops’ morale and fighting efficiency were very satisfactory.
He said the Nigerian Army appreciated the public’s support in the fight against banditry and terrorism, urging citizens to sustain the tempo of timely information to security agencies.
Babatunde also assured that, “the military, in collaboration with other security agencies, remains committed to protecting lives and property and will continue to take necessary measures to ensure national security.”