Gunmen struck again in Kaduna State on Thursday night, 48 hours to today’s presidential and National Assembly elections, killing no fewer than 66 people.
Twenty two of the victims are children while 12 are women, according to Samuel Aruwan, the chief spokesman for Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Aruwan said in a statement that 66 bodies were recovered after hoodlums invaded hamlets in Maro Gida and Iri axis of Kajuru Local Government Area.
He listed the affected settlements as Ruga Bahago, Ruga Daku, Ruga Ori, Ruga Haruna, Ruga Yukka Abubakar, Ruga Duni Kadiri, Ruga Shewuka and Ruga Shuaibu Yau.
“Security agencies today reported the recovery of 66 bodies that were killed in attacks by criminal elements on various dispersed hamlets in the Maro Gida and Iri axis of Kajuru LGA,” he said.
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Aruwan added: “Among the victims were 22 children and 12 women. Four wounded persons rescued by the security agencies are now receiving medical attention.
“Government condemns the attacks and commiserates with the families of the victims. Security agencies have been deployed to the area and arrests have been made.
“Government urges community, traditional and religious leaders in the area to encourage residents to avoid any reprisal attacks and to leave the matter in the hands of the security and law enforcement agencies.
“The killings are being investigated and residents are assured that indicted persons will be prosecuted.
“Residents of Kaduna State are enjoined to uphold peace and harmony, shun violence and allow the elections to be held in an atmosphere of calm.”
He said any suspicious activity should be reported to the security agencies in person or through the following lines: 09034000060 and 08170189999.
But he was silent on how the incident happened.
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