Kaduna state government says suspected bandits have killed six commuters along the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road.

Samuel Aruwan, commissioner for internal security and home affairs, in a statement on Friday, said the bandits opened fire on the commuters while running away from “aggressive patrols” by security agencies in the area.

According to the statement, the bandits took to the highway around Ungwan Dangedda while shooting at several vehicles as they retreated.

The driver of a commercial vehicle was said to have been hit in the process, forcing him to lose control of the vehicle.

The vehicle was said to have somersaulted several times before coming to a stop, after which the bandits reportedly fled the scene.

The six persons that died on the spot from the crash were identified as Abdurrashid Ya’u, Sa’idu Ya’u, Suwaiba Ali’ Sulaiman Ustaz, Ramatu Ya’u, and an unidentified infant.

Six other persons — Ubale Yahuza, Rabiu Ibrahim, Umar Musa, Saude Yusuf, Mohammed Aminu, and Kadima Mercy — sustained injuries.

The state government had in September 2020 strengthened security around the airport and Birnin Gwari road, known to be a flashpoint of kidnapping, by deploying troops of the Nigerian army there.

The Nation