In what are perceived as revenge killings, Kebbi State Police Command has confirmed that eight innocent villagers were killed by bandits on Sunday (December 28) night following their attacks on three villages of Kaiwa,Gelawu and Gebbe in Shanga Local Government Areas of the State.
Hordes of terrorists of the Fulani stock were eliminated on Christmas Day in lightening US missile strikes on their hideouts in Sokoto State, part of a broader national and international campaign against Christian-killing Islamists in much of Northern Nigeria, including Kebbi State.
The vicious, remorseless attacks and killing of villagers in Kebbi came barely three days after the massive US missile strikes estimated to have killed over 1000 Islamic terrorists in the wilds of Sokoto State.
Police Public Relations Officer PPRO of the command, SP Bashir Usman confirmed the Kebbi attacks in a message sent to newsmen in the early hours of Monday (yesterday, December 29) about the incident.
According to the statement, the attacks which occurred on Sunday night at about 2am, have already displaced many villagers who fled to safety in neighbouring communities.
Said the PPRO: “The Police acknowledge the incident and confirm that coordinated security operations are ongoing.
“About seven persons across Kaiwa, Gelawu and Gebbe villages lost their lives during the attacks, with one additional victim later confirmed dead while receiving treatment, while another victim is currently responding to medical care.
“Security agencies have sustained coordinated operations within the affected areas, with intensified patrols and surveillance to forestall further breaches, and further details will be made available at the appropriate time, as the operation is still ongoing.”
However, sources at the affected areas explained that the attackers stormed the community on Sunday night and opened fire, triggering panic and forcing residents to flee to neighbouring villages and nearby bushes for safety.
They described the incident as unprecedented in the area, noting that Gebbe community had not experienced such a large-scale attack in recent years.
They added that many residents remain displaced, making it difficult to immediately ascertain the number of casualties.
