Suspected Islamic fundamentalists attacked two communities in Kaduna State, killing six persons and injuring several more in the wee hours of yesterday.
Suspected Islamic fundamentalists attacked two communities in Kaduna State, killing six persons and injuring several more in the wee hours of yesterday.
A senior officer with the Nigerian Police in Abuja told SaharaReporters that the attackers first struck at a village called Bundumi Rimi, in Lere local government. Last year, the terror group Boko Haram attacked two banks in the same community, instantly gunning down four persons.
Speaking of yesterday’s attacks, our police source said, “According to our detectives, they gunned down the victims and destroyed more of their heads. It has not been established if [the attackers] are Boko Haram. What is certain is they are militias because they were chanting religious slogans. Those injured were cut in to pieces.” the source said.
Another attack took place at Kagoro in southern Kaduna. Two male victims were killed and mutilated, a source who works with the Kaura local government council confirmed to our correspondent.
A demonstration against the killings was staged earlier yesterday. Meanwhile, Governor
Ibrahim Yakowa, who was billed to travel, aborted his trip to monitor the tense situation created by a spate of killings that have ravaged the state from last week. A spokesman of the governor described him as “troubled.”
A source close to the governor said Mr. Yakowa had been receiving briefings from several of his aides regarding the worsening development.
The governor’s media aide, Reuben Buhari, later issued a terse statement on behalf of his principal. The text of the letter is reproduced below:
“His Excellency, The Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, has observed with concern, the recent spates of attacks deliberately meted out on communities and innocent citizens in some parts of the state, with intent to disrupt the peace currently being enjoyed. His Excellency totally condemns such killings, done under whatever guise or motive and describes it as unnecessary, unwarranted and unfortunate. It is in pursuance of full peace in our state that made the Kaduna State Government to set up the Peace and Reconciliation Committee that is now opening up channels for direct and candid communication, targeted at reconciling all and finding lasting solutions in resolving whatever elements of grievances that may exist in our society.
“His Excellency is of the view that, this Committee is a window of opportunity, that all should utilize, towards consolidating the return to full peace instead of resorting to killings of innocent citizens of the
state. Already, all Interim Chairmen of Local Councils within the state have been directed to continue dialoguing with all parties in their communities on genuine peace and full reconciliation. Government wishes to assure all law-abiding citizens of Kaduna State that security agencies are doing all within their powers to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators of such crimes. His Excellency, while asking all to remain security conscious, implores aggrieved parties not to take the law into their hands but remain calm and avoid acts capable of retarding development in Kaduna State.”
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