Terrorists on Tuesday attacked the convoy of the Deputy Governor of Kebbi state, Samaila Yombe in Kanya village in Danko/Wasagu local government of the state, with a record of heavy casualties.
The deputy governor confirmed the attack to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday, saying that he was in Kanya village with the commanding officer of 223 Battalion Zuru to assess the level of Kebbi state government’s assistance to security.
According to him, the bandits were mixed with members of the community when the convoy arrived the village.
“Yesterday at Kanya, the bandits mixed up with the inhabitants of Kanya. It was difficult to have fought the bandits in the midst of the people because the collateral damage would have been much.
“We then adopted a strategy to move out of the town so that they follow us. In the process because we were both vulnerable, both sides recorded casualties.
I doff my cap for the soldiers at Zuru Battalion who were few compared to the number of the bandits. From the gunshots, you will assume they were 200 or 250 bandits. And the soldiers were a unit of about 30 troops, escorting the commanding officer. In terms of strength, the soldiers were overwhelmed. It was impossible for the troops to maneuver but they were able to disengage from the bandits to safer ground,” Yombe said.
Asked to disclose the number of casualties on the side of government, Yombe declined, saying “No, I cannot disclose the number. It is against the ethics of the profession.”
