Kebbi State Governor Atiku Bagudu says soldiers who were killed in bandits’ attack on their barrack were destined to die that way; he, however, prayed for the repose of their souls.

The governor expressed his sentiment when he visited the 1 battalion Dukku barracks in Birnin Kebbi on Friday to console the family and colleagues of the slain soldiers.

“As Muslims and Christians we all believe in destiny. The recent happenings are destined by God, we pray that God will avert future occurrence,” Mr Bagudu asserted. “We fervently pray for the repose of the souls who died and once again sympathise with their families.”

Daredevil bandits had earlier in the week ransacked five communities in the Zuru Emirate of Kebbi, killing no fewer than 17 soldiers, five policemen and 68 vigilantes.

Mr Bagudu, alongside other top government functionaries including the Secretary to the State Government, Babale Umar-Yauri and Acting Head of Service, Sufyanu Garba- Bena, attended special prayers at the barrack’s central mosque for restoration of peace and for victims of the attack.

The governor also wished other persons injured in the attack quick recovery while he prayed for “restoration of lasting peace and tranquility to Kebbi and Nigeria at large.”

Mr Bagudu urged people to demonstrate sympathy to the families of the deceased by assisting particularly widows and orphans within their midst.

Earlier in his sermon, the Chief Imam of Dukku Barracks Central Mosque, Imam Mukhtar Muhammad, offered special prayers for peace in the country as well as for all those who died in the attack in Kanya of Danko Wasagu Local Government Area.

Mr Bagudu had on Thursday directed Mosques and Churches to offer special prayers on Friday and Sunday, respectively, following the recent killings by bandits in part of Zuru Emirate. 

(NAN)