Not less than Fifteen persons have been killed in separate attacks by gunmen on communities in Giwa, Birnin Gwari, and Kajuru LGAs of Kaduna state.
An unspecified number of people were also said to have sustained injuries during the attacks.
Samuel Aruwan, Kaduna commissioner for internal security and home affairs, confirmed the killings in a statement on Friday.
He said in Giwa LGA, the gunmen attacked Rafin Sarki community and killed 11 people, while in Cibiya and Karamai communities in Kajuru LGA, two people killed.
He added that two people were killed in Damari community, Birnin Gwari LGA.
“On a sad note, the Kaduna State Government has sent its deepest commiserations to families of several victims who were killed in attacks by bandits in Giwa, Birnin Gwari and Kajuru local government areas,” the statement reads.
“The Government was informed by security agencies that bandits attacked Rafin Sarki in Giwa LGA, with 11 locals confirmed killed. They are identified as: Abdullahi Musa, Adamu Musa, Aminu Nasiru, Adamu Ibrahim, Yau Usman Ladan, Yunusa Saidu, Salisu Abdulrahman, Fati Usman, Yakubu Ya’u Marwanu Ibrahim, and one unidentified person.
“Similar briefings revealed that Cibiya and Karamai communities in Kufana, Kajuru LGA were attacked by bandits and two people were killed, identified as: Idon Bonos and Aston Namaskar.
“Several persons were left injured. Furthermore, bandits killed two people in Damari, Birnin Gwari LGA. The victims are identified as: Salisu Mai Tireda and Mohammed Maikaba.
“The Government is engaging the security forces on these developments and other fronts.”
Aruwan said Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna, expressed sadness over the incidents and sent his sympathy to the affected families.
He said while praying for the repose of the souls of the deceased, the governor also prayed for speedy recovery for the injured.