Bloody Easter in Kaduna, Benue and Borno, as Terrorist Kill 16, Army Rescue 31 Worshippers

The Easter celebration was smeared with blood of the innocent in parts of Kaduna and Benue and Borno states, as terrorists launched multiple attacks. Two two churches were targeted during Easter Sunday services, with at least seven worshippers killed and several others abducted at Ariko community in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Reports quoted the councillor representing Awon Ward, covering Ariko District, MARK BAWA, confirmed the attacks on the First ECWA Church and Saint Augustine Catholic Church, both located in Ariko. Hours later, the Nigerian Army issued a statement on its X handle, confirming the rescue of thirty-one people who were abducted by gunmen during the Easter Sunday service at Ariko village. The Nigerian Army said troops were mobilized to the area following a distress call about terrorists’ invasion of the ECWA Church in the community. The Army said the troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce gunbattle and overpowered them with superior firepower and the support of members of the Ariko community. In Benue State also recorded a fresh attack, with at least nine people killed at Mbalom-Mbatsada-Agana community in Gwer Local Government Area. The Chairman of Gwer Local Government Area, TIMOTHY ADI, confirmed the attack by terrorists to newsmen in the midst of the festivities leading to the celebration of Easter. TIMOTHY ADI said the terrorists stormed the community before 6pm on Saturday, prior to a security advisory about an impending attack. ADI said the Benue State Commissioner of Police, IFEANYI ENEMARI, later visited the area for on-the-spot assessment of the situation, and also ordered the deployment of police to maintain peace and order in the area. Benue State Governor, HYACINTH ALIA, has condemned the attack through a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, TERSOO KULA, saying it was a direct affront to the collective peace and security of the state. Governor ALIA observed with concern what he described as a pattern of calculated and selective attacks in parts of the state, stressing that such acts of terror will not be allowed to thrive. Similarly, Boko Haram terrorists have attacked Awapul community in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State, but reports say no life was lost. The spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, NAHUM DASO, said a large number of terrorists swooped on the town in the early hours of Easter Sunday, shooting sporadically, destroying homes and shops. DASO who is Assistant Superintendent of Police, said some of the inhabitants of Awapul have fled the area to Chibok main town to take refuge. Less than twenty-four-hours earlier, some suspected Boko Haram terrorists also attacked an Internally Displaced Persons camp at Damasak and the Nganzai Divisional Police Headquarters in Borno State, killing four police officers and one hunter, and also setting an unserviceable Armoured Personnel Carrier on fire. The PPRO of the Borno State Police Command said in a statement that the attackers deployed Rocket-Propelled Grenades and other sophisticated weapons in an attempt to overrun the towns but were repelled by security agents. Elsewhere; security operatives in Zamfara State killed over thirty armed bandits, including the son of a notorious kingpin, during a fierce gun battle in Tsafe Local Government Area. The spokesperson for Operation Fansan Yamma, DAVID ADEWUSI, gave the name of the man as KACHALLA ILIYA SARKI, who is said to be the son of an infamous bandit leader known as DOGO BETE. Reports indicate that the coordinated counter-offensive began late on Saturday when armed bandits attacked members of the Civilian Joint Task Force in Kunchin Kalgo village. The Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, AHMAD BELLO, also confirmed another onslaught on Sunday afternoon between operatives of the Civilian JTF and bandits at Kungurki village, in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, were two of the hoodlums were reportedly killed. Meanwhile; policemen in Kwara State have arrested a suspected bandit from Kogi State, identified as MALLAMI ABUBAKAR. The spokesman for the Kwara State Police Command, ADETOUN EJIRE-ADEYEMI, said operatives arrested twenty-year-old ABUBAKAR during a routine patrol in Nanu, Kaiama Local Government Area. EJIRE-ADEYEMI said the man who hails from Isanlu Dankuturu in Kogi State, said he was directed by a friend from Niger State to travel to Farinsuni to join a terrorist group in the area.