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Heavily armed bandits invaded Damakasuwa community in Southern Kaduna on Friday night.
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Seven villagers were confirmed dead while one sustained serious gunshot injuries.
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Residents blame poor security presence as attackers operated freely for several minutes.
At least seven people have been killed and one person seriously injured after bandits invaded Damakasuwa community in Chawai Chiefdom, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Eyewitnesses said the heavily armed bandits stormed the community around 8:00 p.m. on Friday, shooting sporadically and forcing residents to flee into nearby bushes.
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The Paramount Chief of Chawai, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Yahaya Muhammad, confirmed the attack, saying five people were shot dead instantly, while two others later died from gunshot wounds.
“The incident has heightened tension in the area, but normalcy has since been restored due to the presence of military personnel in the community. We’ve urged our people to remain calm and allow the security agencies to carry out their diligent work,” the traditional ruler said.
A youth leader, Mr Barnabas Chawai, told journalists that the assailants opened fire on residents who were either preparing to sleep or engaging in evening activities.
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“They came when people were going about their normal routines. Six people were killed on the spot, and one person who sustained a gunshot wound at the throat was rushed to Jos for treatment,” he said.
Residents said the attack has triggered panic across neighbouring villages in the Chawai axis of Kauru LGA, which has witnessed several cases of banditry, kidnappings, and killings in recent months.
As of press time, security agencies were yet to release an official statement on the incident. Efforts to reach the Kaduna State Police Command’s spokesperson, ASP Mansir Hassan, were unsuccessful.
Kauru Local Government remains one of the most volatile areas in Southern Kaduna, with frequent armed invasions and communal violence claiming dozens of lives in recent years.
