The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has confirmed that bandits stormed two communities in the Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State and killed scores of security personnel including seven of its personnel.
NSCDC spokesman, Olusola Odumosu said that seven of its operatives and five others were ambushed and killed at the Kuriga mining site on Monday.
He disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja that the five others were from a sister security agency and local vigilance group.
According to residents, the bandits had sealed an agreement with farmers in the area as a pre-condition to allow the locals access their farms.
However, the bandits usually passed through the villages to sell rustled cows which the security men stationed at the area were not happy about.
Trouble however started when security operatives allegedly killed a boy who normally looked after cattle belonging to the bandits.
Angered by the incident, the terrorists in large numbers on Monday stormed check-points along Birnin-Gwari to Kakangi/Randagi road of the Western part of Birnin-Gwari LGA and sniffed life out of some security operatives.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed anguish over the death of the seven personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
He has directed the Armed Forces to seek the bandits who inflicted this casualty and make them pay the price.
According to a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President described the loss of the NSCDC personnel as a tragic event and salutes the courage of the men who gave their lives to the nation.
“The President directed the Armed Forces to seek the bandits who inflicted this casualty and make them pay the price.
“The NSCDC personnel who braved all challenges to guard our nation and its people had made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
“My thoughts are with the bereaved families and their compatriots in the service. May Almighty God grant them and the entire service the fortitude to bear the loss.”
