By Luka Binniyat
KADUNA — A gun duel between soldiers and a group of gunmen, weekend, in Rigassa area of Kaduna Stata has left one soldier and a member of the gunmen dead

According to the spokesman of  1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna. Col. Sani Kukasheku Usman, the incident happened last Saturday at about  9 pm.

Said Usman: “Some armed men sprang a surprise attack on our troops at a checkpoint in Rigassa last Saturday evening. After repelling the attackers in a fierce exchange of fire, our fire power and gallantry overwhelmed them. One of our soldiers was shot dead. But we also killed one of them and wounded several others. We are still on their trail, as we are collecting useful information from the populace.”

It would be recalled that last  Friday night, unknown gunmen in the area also killed one of the traditional rulers and a policeman.

This has brought to 10 the number of those killed in two months,  by gunmen in the area, which is dominated by the Hausa.

At press time, thousands of residents in Rigasa were on  self imposed curfew for fear of possible attacks from the group.

Meanwhile, no fewer  than 90 suspects have been arrested in various locations in Zaria in connection with the kidnap of a Lebanese after another Lebanese and a Nigerian were murdered in an operation which the Police said was armed robbery.

Kaduna State Police Spokesman, ASP Aminu Lawan said: “Just as we had promised, we have started our investigation into the murder of these foreigner and a Nigerian, and the abduction of a Lebanese last week. We have made several arrests.

In fact we have in our net about 90 suspects. Some were arrested in various locations, including hotels. We are asking them questions. If we have no reason to keep any of them further, we shall release them. But, I can assure you that we are making progress”, he said.

It will be recalled that last Monday, at  Kakeyi village near Zaria, armed men  had mounted a road block along the road and robbed  people before killing a Lebanese, Mr Padi Ibrahim, and abducted another named Amir Drek. The gunmen  also  killed Mallam Aliyu Nuruddeen, a Nigerian.

Both the deceased and abducted were workers of Mothercat Construction Company who were said to be on their way to inspect the protracted Zaria water rehabilitation project.