Some bandits have reportedly raided five local government areas of Kaduna State, killing 23 persons and injuring scores of residents.
The attacked areas are Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Chikun, Igabi and Kauru.
The state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, on Tuesday, said in Birnin Gwari LG, 10 persons were killed by the bandits in an attack on Ungwan Gajere, Kutemeshi ward.
The commissioner gave the names of those killed as Abdu Hasan, Sufyanu Musa, Faisal Zubairu, Abdullahi Hasan, Ali Abdu, Rabiu Aliyu, Zubairu Yau, Bukar Yusuf, Mamman Ibrahim and Dankande Musa.
The commissioner also said in the Igabi area, bandits shot dead one Dayyabu Yahuza between Sarkin Baka and Dankyawai villages, near Gidan Kurmi village.
He added, “In Giwa Local Government Area, armed bandits invaded Janbaba village and one Yakubu Sule was shot dead.
“In Kishisho village, Kauru LGA, gunmen suspected to be from a neighbouring state killed five persons, identified as Danlami Sunday, Abbas Abou, Sati Yakubu, Shaba John and John Francis.
“In Chikun LGA, five citizens were killed by bandits in Gwagwada-Kasaya village in Kunai ward. They are Habila Ibrahim, Samaila Audu, John Musa, Birnin Aboki and Ali Aboki.
“Similarly, in Agwa, Chikun LGA, one Bitrus Joseph was shot dead in an attack by the bandits. Also, in Chikun LGA, one bandit was killed near Bugai, when members of the community repelled an attack.”
The commissioner also said scores of bandits were neutralised in air missions across Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Igabi, Kachia and Chikun LGAs.
“Nearly a dozen bandits with herds of cattle were sighted at Rugu, fleeing from the fighter jet. They were engaged and neutralised. Other locations covered were reported as calm.”