Kaduna State Government says the death toll in an attack by suspected bandits in Giwa Local Government Area of the state on Saturday has risen to 38 from 20.
Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the new figure in an update in a statement issued on Sunday in Kaduna.
Aruwan stated security agencies had confirmed to the Kaduna State government that 38 people were killed across the locations attacked.
In the meantime, President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the renewed terrorist killings in Kaduna State, saying that the gruesome nature of recent incidents in Kauran Fawa, Marke and Ruhiya of Idasu Ward of Giwa Local Government Area, has made him particularly sad and the killings unacceptable.
Bandits within the week have also killed citizens in Zangon Kataf, Chikun, Birnin Gwari, Igabi and Kauru LGAs of Kaduna State.
According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu, the President expressed the nation’s condolences to the Government of Kaduna State, the people of Zonkwa Chiefdom and the family of His Highness Nuhu Bature, the Agwam Kajju on his demise.
The Statement read in part “President Buhari affirmed that our security forces have turned the heat on the terrorists who are getting frustrated and are soft-targeting innocent citizens, looting their assets, burning their homes and killing them indiscriminately. He has reiterated his directive to the security and intelligence chiefs to do everything they can to destroy the remaining vestiges of the terrorists”.
However, Aruwan while giving situation update said, “Twenty-nine of the victims have been identified, with nine remaining unidentified as of the time of this update’’ he added.
The bandits also destroyed property worth millions of Naira in Giwa Local Government Area of the state.
The attacks took place at Kauran Fawa, Marke and Riheya villages in Idasu, Giwa Local Government Area of the state.
Security agencies have sustained patrols in the general area,’’ Aruwan added
