No fewer than 19 persons were reportedly killed by gunmen suspected to be bandits in two separate attacks in Kaduna State. The attackers reportedly carried out the operation for several hours with impunity.

The incident occurred on Saturday at Kutemeshi village in Birnin Gwari and Kujeni village in Kajuru. This was made known Sunday in a statement issued by Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs.

Mr. Aruwan disclosed that 14 residents were killed in Kutemeshi village as the criminals looted some shops and carted away valuable items. Five others were killed in another separate attack that occurred at Kujeni village, the official said.

The statement noted that the assailants razed several houses, storehouses with foodstuff, warehouses loaded with building materials and a church amongst others during the attack at Kujeni community.

Mr. Aruwan said 14 corpses have been recovered while victims who sustained gunshot wounds were taken to a neighbouring state that shares a border with Kutemeshi for immediate medical attention.

He further disclosed that other injured victims were on their way to an orthopaedic hospital in Kaduna. 

Bandits seeking to pillage resources have ruined many communities across Kaduna State in recent years, leaving residents to live in fear amidst a lack of state protection.