Bandits have killed seven personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and six vigilantes in the Manini area along Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Highway of Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The incident happened on Monday around 3:00pm when the NSCDC personnel and vigilantes went to a local mining site in the area.

The six vigilantes who were from Kurega town in the same local government were attached with the NSCDC personnel when they were attacked by the bandits.

Details of the engagement remained sketchy but the corpses of the fallen NSCDC personnel were on their way to Kaduna according to sources.

A community leader in Udawa, Muhammadu Umar who confirmed the attack said the remains of the vigilantes were still at Kurega awaiting burial.

“It was sad news to us all because six of our vigilantes from Kurega were killed while seven NSCDC personnel were also killed in an ambush.

“As we speak, the bodies of the civil defence personnel are on their way to Kaduna while that of the vigilantes are in Kurega,” he said.

The NSCDC Public Relations Officer in Kaduna, DSC Badamasi Habib said they were aware of the incident but added that they were still waiting for more details from the area.

He declined further comment on the casualties.

According to him, the command has also sent a backup team to the area.

Meanwhile, calls made to the state Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Mohammed Jalige remained unanswered. (Daily Trust)

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