Five people have been killed as bandits attacked Mahuta town in Fakai Local Government Area of Kebbi State. The attackers also ransacked over 64 shops and carted away an unspecified number of cows.

Chief Press Secretary to the Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Mua’zu Dakingari, confirmed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.

Dakingari explained that the State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, visited the town along Zuru road, and commiserated with the people and traditional rulers in the area.

The CPS quoted Bagudu to have said: “Kebbi state government will continue to provide logistics, financial and material support to security agencies in the state, especially in areas prone to bandits’ attack.

Dakingari disclosed that “the bandits broke into shops, carting away goods worth millions of naira as well as drove away herds of cattle and killed five persons while others received various degrees of injury”, he said.

During a visit to the palace of the Chief of Fakai Chiefdom, Alhaji Hudu Danmalam, the CPS explained that Governor Bagudu acknowledged the gallantry of the army, police, civil defence, vigilantes, and self-volunteer groups (yan sakai) for resisting the onslaught by the bandits.

“He was sympathetic and condoled with the people of Fakai, Mahuta, Garin Hausawa, Tungar Gambo, Isgel, Asarara, Masama, Taro, and Isgel assuring that IDPs would be evacuated back to their homes soonest.

“Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu thanked the Chief of Fakai Hudu Dan Mallam and his people for their assistance to IDPs and being supportive of the government”.

Dakingari said that the Chairman of Fakai Local Government, Alhaji Umaru Magaji, the Chief of Fakai Hudu Dan Malam, the District head of Mahuta, Alhaji Farke Anamani, the District head of Fakai, Alhaji Ladan Fakai and Councillors representing the area, Hon. Bilyaminu Abubakar Aiki Bajida, Hon, Musa Ibrahim Marafa and Hon. Musa Magawata made separate remarks during the Governor’s visit.

Dakingari also quoted them to have informed the Governor about the tragic event, saying “more than 67 shops were forced open and looted by the bandits in Mahuta and Bajida while four persons were killed and four others injured”.

He added that the Governor also paid a condolence visit to the residence of a prominent politician, Alhaji Mamman Rago Mahuta on the killing of his younger brother, Alhaji Danjuma DIG, a grains merchant along Mahuta – Bajida road.

Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu prayed Allah to grant him mercy and the prevalence of peace and security in Kebbi state and the nation.