Seven persons have been confirmed dead after armed men, believed to be bandits, fired gunshots at traders in the weekly Galadimawa Market in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Two persons confirmed to be members of a vigilante group, were among those killed in the incident that occurred on Wednesday, December 23.
The Kaduna state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affair, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the incident to journalists.
In a statement released today, December 24, Aruwan confirmed that the bandits made their way into the market at 4 p.m before unleashing mayhem on the victims.
“The Kaduna State Government has been informed that several armed bandits were neutralized at the outskirts of Galadimawa in Giwa local government area of Kaduna State.,” the statement read, in part.
“According to the security report, the armed bandits sneaked into the market around 4pm and opened fire on the vigilantes, in the process killing the following operatives: Yusuf Magaji Iyatawa and Dabo Bafillace.
“While escaping, the bandits killed the following five citizens: Danjuma Haladu, Shuaibu Isyaku, Isyaku Adamu, Shehu Dalhatu and Musa Haruna Kerawa.
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“A commercial trailer driver, one Alhaji Yusuf Tumburku who had just loaded 330 bags of maize belonging to a trader, Alhaji Hamza Ungwan Lalle Giwa, had his vehicle and the grains burnt to ashes. One other car was burnt by the armed bandits,” the statement continued.
The bandits were later “neutralized” while fleeing the scene, the statement revealed.
“The armed bandits were neutralized after they attacked the weekly Galadimawa Market on Wednesday evening, where two vigilantes and five citizens lost their lives.
“The security agencies comprising the police and troops gave the armed bandits a hot pursuit while they escaped out of the general area.
“The armed bandits, who were on about 15 motorcycles, met their end in the hands of aggressive fighting air platforms which engaged them and subsequently neutralized several of them.
“The ground troops are still carrying out clearance operations in the Galadimawa and Kidandan general areas,” the statement read.
The state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is said to have communicated his condolences to the families of the victims.
According to Aruwan, the Governor also urged residents in the Galadimawa and Kidandan general areas of Giwa local government to always assist security agencies with vital information.