Crisis in Southern Kaduna

A senior security source has confirmed to Sahara Reporters that about three gunmen suspected to be members of an unknown militant Islamist group were killed by local residents in southern Kaduna in the early hours of today. The fierce fight happened in an area known as Fadan Kaje, close to Zonkwa in Zangon Kataf local government.

The source added that the gunmen had specialized in carrying out night attacks in the volatile southern Kaduna area of Kaduna State. According to our source, some of the locals who repelled the attacks suffered some injuries.

Several residents say that the whole area was agog with gunshots throughout the night. Our security source said, "We are still gathering information from the scene, but the fact is that about five of the gunmen who attacked the village have been killed by the indigenes of the area."

He added that this was the first time gunmen menacing the area suffered casualties since they commenced their guerrilla attacks in the area.

A retired senior military officer who lives in the area said he was aware of the development but added that he had not been briefed about the casualties suffered by the gunmen.

"Their luck finally ran out," said the retired officer.

Last Thursday, another set of gunmen attacked a police station and killed two officers in Kaura town, close to the scene of today's gun battle.