Security agencies brief Kaduna govt about road attack

Glory Ebomah

Security forces have briefed the Kaduna State government on Sunday’s attack by bandits along the Kaduna-Abuja Road.

The Commissioner of Police, Abdullahi Mudassiru, alongside the Garrison Commander, One Division Nigerian Army, Brigadier General UT Opune, and the representative of the State Director, Department of State Services, Mr Garba Shehu Shinkafi, led other security agencies to the location at Kurmin Kare, Kachia LGA, where the bandits launched the attack which left one person dead with many kidnapped.

Mudassiru also told the Commissioner, Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, that 11 citizens were rescued while one person, Alhaji Muhammad Sagir Hamidu, Chairman and CEO of Famaks British School, was killed.

The Police Commissioner added that the police had recovered Alhaji Sagir Hamidu vehicle.

On measures taken by the security forces, Mudassiru said more men and assets had been deployed to the route, noting that the efforts of the police were being complemented by the military.

According to Mudassiru, the practice of driving against the flow of traffic is a major security threat, as it exposed travellers to the risk of ghastly accidents and created build-ups that could be exploited by bandits.

The Garrison Commander, One Division Nigerian Army, talked about measures being taken by the military and assured the Kaduna State Government of their commitment to the security of citizens and commuters along the route. He stated that joint security operations were currently in progress in the state’s frontline areas.

Responding, Aruwan stated that Government was following the developments closely, having received assurances of commitment from the Police and military.

The commissioner reiterated the commitment of the Kaduna State Government by way of the continued provision of logistics and support to security agencies. He described the attack as a setback, stating however that the government of Kaduna State would not be deterred by this in its security efforts.

The commissioner fielded questions from journalists on the shutdown of telecommunication services in frontline areas, explaining that difficult situations required difficult measures.

He disclosed that successes were being recorded as a result of the shutdown, which could not be explored in detail due to the sensitivity of operations.

He pleaded with citizens experiencing communication difficulties to bear with the temporary measures in view of overall security advantages.

The Acting Governor, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, received the briefings and sent her deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the attack, as she prayed for the repose of their souls.