Gunmen
suspected to be Fulani herdsmen on Sunday night reportedly killed three persons
among them, one Pastor Luka Ubangari of the Redeemed Christian Church of
God, Unguwan Anjo, near Godogodo in the Jema’a Local Government Area
of Kaduna State.
The
cleric was said to have been ambushed, shot and killed while on his
motorcycle after an evangelical visit to Golkofa, also in the area.
The
incident occurred a few days after the state governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai,
visited Godogodo and Sanga districts, in the Jema’a and Sanga local governments
areas, all in the southern part of the state to appraise the
attacks of suspected Fulani herdsmen in the area.
El-Rufai
in the affected villages of Gada Biyu, Anjo and Godogodo
penultimate Tuesday, condemned the killings, describing them as ‘senseless,’
promising to arrest the perpetrators.
A
source told our correspondent that two days after the murder of Ubangari,
suspected herdsmen attacked Ningon village, 6km from Gwantu, headquarters
of Sanga LGA, killing two persons and seriously injuring another person.
The
source, who craved for anonymity, noted that their joy during the visit of the
state governor to the area, turned sour as result of the latest attack.
He
said, “We were happy that Governor Nasir el-Rufai visited and assured us of
improved security and that the killers would be found and punished.
“To
our shock, Pastor Luka Ubangari was ambushed, shot and killed as he was riding
his motorcycle after an evangelical visit to Golkofa. He was killed by Fulani
men who were out to remove us from our ancestral lands.”
Mr.
Nuhu Tukura, the President of the Ningon Community Development Association,
said Ningon was attacked on Sunday night and two natives, Gambo Sule, 38,
and Benjamin Auta, 35, were killed by gunmen.
He
added that the police only arrived on Monday morning following a distressed
call put on to them on Sunday night.
Tukura
said, “At 8:45pm Sunday night, Mr. Gambo Sule, 38, Mr. Benjamin Auta, 35, were
killed by unknown herdsmen.
“We
are seriously troubled by all these happenings. Now, we don’t even know what we
can do to have rest. Our farms, we cannot go, and our houses we cannot live in.
What else shall we do?
“We
called the police immediately the incident occurred around 8:45pm on Sunday
night, but they did not come until around 7:30, this morning, (Monday). “We are
pleading with the state government to help us with security and assist us in
feeding. Most farmers are afraid to go to the farm and there will be food
scarcity problem this year and the next.”
The
Kaduna State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Aliyu Usman, who
confirmed the incident told our correspondent on phone that only one
person was killed.
Usman
said but for the timely intervention of the police, the casualty figures would
have been higher.
He
said the police used armoured personnel carriers to chase the armed bandits out
of the villages.
Usman
said, “When the people learnt of the invasion of the attackers, the police in
the area swiftly moved in with APC to chase away the attackers. However, one
person was killed. Our men acted quickly to save the situation.”
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