Six killed as ‘bandits’ attack Yobe emir in Kaduna (updated)

Suspected bandits attacked the convoy of Umaru Bubaram, emir of Potiskum in Yobe state, on Wednesday, killing six persons, including four of his aides.

The incident took place around Fandatio village, near Maraban Jos along the Kaduna-Zaria high way.

The emir was on his way to Zaria in Kaduna when the gunmen opened fire on his convoy.

Gidado Ibrahim, a traditional title holder from Potiskum, who was on the emir’s entourage, confirmed the incident to TheCable.

He said the first-class monarch was on a tour of some traditional institutions in the north as part of preparations for the official inauguration of the Potiskum Central Mosque, Yobe slated for January 18, 2020.

In a statement, Yakubu Sabo, spokesman of the Kaduna state police command, said five people sustained injuries in the attack.

He said the attackers, who dressed in military camouflage, started shooting indiscriminately at commuters and took some yet to be identified persons to unknown destination.

“On 14/1/2020 the Kaduna State Police Command received information through DPO Maraban Jos (along Kaduna-Zaria road) that at about 2245hrs, he got a distress call from a good Samaritan that, some unknown Armed Men in large number dressed in military camouflage intercepted some commuters at the outskirt of Kaduna Metro along Kaduna-Zaria Expressway and on sighting the escort vehicle of the Emir of Potiskum Alhaji Umar Bubaram, the hoodlums started shooting indiscriminately at the commuters and took some yet to be identified persons to unknown destination,” the statement read.

“Upon receipt of the information, the Command immediately mobilized teams of operatives with Armored Personnel Carriers to the scene where some victims of the attack were rescued to safety but sadly six (6) persons including four aides of the emir were reported dead while Five (5) others sustained varying degree of injuries.

“Both the dead and injured victims were recovered to Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital for deposition and treatment.”

The statement assured that the command was doing everything possible to rescue victims of the unfortunate incident and called on members of the public to continue to support the command with relevant information that could help the police to fish out criminals in their midst.