Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed yesterday charged residents of the state to “take up arms and defend” themselves against bandits.
Many of the residents were said to have been wounded by the bandits in what appeared to be a reprisal.
The attack come after the Police, in collaboration with vigilance group members, killed 12 suspected bandits in a forest in the district.
Describing the killings as unfortunate, the governor said it was worrisome that banditry in the area was getting out of hand.
Mohammed, who spoke at the palace of the District Head, Adamu Duguri, assured that his administration would continue to collaborate with security agencies to protect lives and properties in the state.