A report from Kaduna State Saturday evening says that armed bandits “this afternoon stormed Janruwa community in Maganda District in Birnin-Gwari local government area of Kaduna State, killing at least 40 people, mostly local miners and villagers”.
In a statement, a group, Birnin-Gwari Vanguards for Security and Good Governance, said it was informed that the armed bandits encircled JANRUWA community around noon and opened fire from several locations.
It states: “In a cruel and inhuman manner, the bandits burnt many of their victims beyond recognition.
“Our investigations at Jibril Maigwari General Hospital at Birnin-Gwari revealed that the first set of casualties, seven dead bodies, are already deposited at the morgue, while those injured numbering 13 people with gun shots are receiving treatment right now, while three other people were on referral to Kaduna due to severity of the gun shots.
“The casualty figure may rise as security men and volunteers are on their way to Janruwa village, close to old Birnin-Gwari, along the present Birnin-Gwari-Funtua road.
“It is not clear the mission of the armed bandits but sources said they were on revenge following the killing of their gang members by local vigilantes.
“While Kaduna-Birnin–Gwari highway and adjoining villages are relatively quiet from the attacks of armed bandits, Birnin-Gwari-Funtua road and the eastern part of the local government area witnessed attacks, abduction and incessant killings by armed bandits.
“We are once again under siege and need urgent intervention by both the state and the federal government.”