The Kaduna State Police Command has confirmed that 45 villagers were killed by bandits in Gwaka village, Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna state on Saturday.
Kaduna police commissioner, Austin Iwar said 150 policemen have been deployed to the area to provide security.
The mass slaughter occurred barely one week after the massacre of 27 local miners at Janruwa village, in the same local government
A report in Daily Trust indicated that the armed bandits from neighboring Zamfara state, encircled Gwaska up to Kuiga village around 2.30pm on Saturday shooting sporadically and killing people mostly children.
The bandits completely burnt down the village of about 3,000 inhabitants and survivors mostly women are taking refuge at Doka district in the area.
A group in the local government which described itself as Birnin Gwari Vanguards for Peace and Good Governace had earlier said 45 bodies of victims of the attack have been recovered.
The group said most of those killed by the bandits are volunteers that tried to defend the village and children that cannot escape the onslaught.
“The vigilantes informed us that the casualties will be more, but promised to mobilized tomorrow for evacuation of more casualties.
“So far about forty-five dead bodies were evacuated by the brave vigilantes and volunteers numbering five hundred with assistance of handful soldiers this afternoon,” the group said
The group added that death toll may rise at many bodies are likely to be found in the bush
“We would continue to appeal to authorities to take urgent steps to forestall further attacks and extinction of communities in Birnin-Gwari local government area of Kaduna State,” the group said.