By Olarewaju Kola
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AA) - Authorities in Nigeria’s northwest Kaduna state vowed Monday to eliminate bandits who killed 51 civilians in weekend raids on six communities.
During a visit to the Igabi local government area attacked by the bandits, Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai said the government will investigate the incident and apprehend the killers.
"It is sad, and we shall fish out the perpetrators of this dastardly act," Rufai said.
Police said the bandits, a gang of criminals from a forest in the area, attacked Kerawa, Rago, Marina, Zariyawa, Hashimawa and Unguwar Barau villages in the Igabi local government area in Kaduna on Sunday night, killing more than 50 residents.
Residents said the bandits claimed they came to the villages to carry out reprisal attacks, alleging some locals were providing information about them to the police. They also burnt down many homes.
Police spokesman Muhammad Jalige said a team comprising the police chief and other senior officers had visited the villages to assess the situation.
Women and children were among those killed by the assailants, local media reported.
Criminal groups known as bandits or herdsmen have stepped up raids and kidnappings in communities in Nigeria’s northwest and north central states since 2019.