In a tragic incident in Kaduna State, gunmen have killed Raymond Timothy, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) councilorship candidate for Pari Ward in Kauru Local Government Area, along with his brother, James Timothy. The brothers were shot on Sunday evening while returning from a political campaign on a motorcycle in Kizachi Village.
Barnabas Chawai, a PDP chieftain in the local government, confirmed the incident during a phone interview. He suggested the killings might have been politically motivated, urging security forces to act swiftly to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Chawai further expressed concern over the security situation as the October 19 local government elections approach. “Drastic measures need to be taken to prevent further occurrences,” he said, noting that Raymond Timothy left behind three children, with his wife currently expecting their fourth.
John Wanneh, Secretary to the Village Head of Kizachi, said he had been with the victim shortly before the attack. “We parted ways around 6 pm, and within 10 to 15 minutes, we heard gunshots near some guinea corn farms,” he recounted. Wanneh said it was unclear whether the killings were politically motivated, adding that the community has long struggled with poor infrastructure, making it difficult for security personnel to respond to emergencies.
He called on the government to urgently construct a bridge and improve roads in the area, as security operatives currently face challenges accessing the village due to the river and poor road conditions.
Authorities are yet to make an official statement, and investigations into the incident are expected to follow.