Five killed, three injured as gunmen attack forest guards’ office in Kaduna community

No fewer than five people, including a student, have been killed, while three others sustained injuries following a night attack by unknown gunmen on a hunters’ office in the Gidan Waya community in the Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna.

The victims were personnel of the Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS), Gidan Waya Command.

The command’s intelligence officer, Mr Gaji Ampot, confirmed the Wednesday night incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the scene.

Ampot said the gunmen stormed the office from two opposite directions at about 8 p.m. and opened fire on the personnel while they were carrying out official duties.

“One of the gunmen arrived on a motorcycle from one direction, while others approached on foot from the opposite side and began shooting.

“All but one of the victims were our men. The fifth person killed was a student who was in our office to resolve an issue,” he said.

He added that the injured victims had been taken to a hospital for treatment.

A local resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, suggested that the NFSS personnel may have been targeted due to their efforts in curbing banditry in the area.

At the scene, bloodstains were visible as residents gathered in small groups, discussing the incident.

NAN reports that Gidan Waya and environs had been a hotbed of attacks until a period of relative calm and peace in recent times.