Five people were killed and three injured Wednesday night when gunmen attacked the Nigerian Forest Security Service office in Gidan Waya, Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The NFSS intelligence officer for Gidan Waya Command, Mr. Gaji Ampot, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria at the scene. He said the attack happened around 8 p.m. while personnel were on duty.
“One of the gunmen arrived on a motorcycle from one direction, while others approached on foot from the opposite side and began shooting,” Ampot said.
Four of the dead were NFSS personnel. The fifth victim was a student who had come to the office to resolve an issue. The three injured victims have been taken to a hospital for treatment.
A local resident, speaking anonymously, suggested the personnel may have been targeted for their work against banditry in the area. “The NFSS personnel may have been targeted due to their efforts in curbing banditry,” the resident said.
Bloodstains were visible at the scene Thursday as residents gathered in small groups discussing the attack.
Gidan Waya and surrounding communities had seen a period of relative calm after previously being a hotbed of attacks