- State govt imposes curfew on Kajuru
- ADA accuses el-Rufai of bias
- Gunmen kill two policemen on election duty in Sokoto
John Shiklam in Kaduna and Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto
Scores of people have been feared killed as armed bandits attacked Layin Maigwari village along Funtua road in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State,
The state government has also imposed a dusk–to-dawn curfew in Kajuru community and parts of Chikun LGA of the state
THISDAY gathered the attacks in two villages in the local government area left no fewer than 12 persons dead.
However, Kajuru leaders under the aegis of Adara Adara Development Association (ADA) has accused the state Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, of turning a blind eye to the mass killing of their people by rampaging herdsmen
This is coming as the Sokoto State Command yesterday confirmed the death of two policemen, ASP Abdullahi Maisaje and Sgt. Usman Ibrahim, allegedly killed while on election duty.
A source in Dogo Dawa, Alhaji Ahmed Rufai, told our correspondent that the first attack happened on Monday, when the armed bandits ambushed some people traveling from Zamfara to Niger State, and opened fire on them.
Rufai said two persons were killed, while nine others were injured in the attack.
According to him, another set of the bandits numbering about 80 also stormed Hayin Gada village on Tuesday night and started shooting sporadically, leaving 10 persons dead.
According to him, the first attack was on Monday.
“The gunmen stormed the road and attacked travellers, traveling from Zamfara to Niger State, and opened fire on them. They killed two people and left about nine travellers injured.
“Also on Tuesday, March 12, at Hayin Gada village along Dogon Dawa road, the gunmen stormed the village and started shooting sporadically. In that attack, they killed 10 people.
“As I speak with you, residents of the village have fled from the village to a neighboring community for fear of further attack, because the attackers were so many; they were up to 80,” he said.
But the Kaduna State Police Command could not confirm the incident as at the time of filing this report.
The command’s spokesman, DSP Yakubu Sabo said he was on board a helicopter and promised to get back to our reporter.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Government has imposed a dusk–to-dawn curfew in Kajuru community and parts of Chikun LGA of the state.
There has been a growing tension in the affected areas following the invasion and massive killings in rural communities by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.
It was gathered that no fewer 83 people have been killed in three communities in Kajuru Local Government Area since last Sunday following the attacks.
Some of the communities that came under the deadly attack since last Sunday, according to a lawyer and former President of the Adara Development Association (ADA), Danladi Yarima, include Anguwan Barde, Anguwan Gamu and Kyamara village among others.
He said in Anguwan Barde, which was attacked last Sunday, 35 people were killed, although the police said 16 were killed.
Yarima said in Anguwan Anguwan Gamu which was attacked last Monday, 46 people were killed with several others still missing while in Kyamara village which came under attack last Tuesday evening, two people were killed.
He said most of the attacks were in the broad day light between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00a.m.
Following the attacks, there has been tension in the locality, leading to mass exodus of villagers from their homes to other places for safety.
Announcing the imposition of the curfew in a statement yesterday, spokesman to the governor, Samuel Aruwan, said security assessments have necessitated the imposition of a dusk-to-dawn curfew.
According to the statement, “Security assessments have necessitated the imposition of the curfew in all parts of
Kajuru Local Government Area effective from March 13, 2019.
“The dusk-to-dawn curfew is also extended to Kujama and Maraban Rido (a suburb in Kaduna metropolis) which are in Chikun Local Government Area.
“The curfew in the affected areas will be in effect from 6p.m. to 6a.m. daily until further notice.
“Security agencies have been directed to ensure strict enforcement of the curfew. “The state government therefore appeals to all residents and communities in the affected areas to bear the inconvenience of the curfew and cooperate with the security agencies.”
Meanwhile, ADA had in a statement last Tuesday accused the state government of turning a blind eye to the mass killing of its people by rampaging herdsmen.
The statement which was signed by the Assistant National Secretary of ADA, Luke Waziri, alleged that the killers were being funded and supported to wreak havoc in Adara land, “while those saddled with the responsibility of securing us deliberately looked the other way.”
Giving details of the attack, Waziri said: “Firstly, Ungwan Barde was attacked on February 10, 2019, and nobody did anything even though those in government knew about it. Furthermore, the state government pretended that the 11 people killed didn’t matter.
“Karamai, another of our community, was attacked on February 26 with 38 people killed. While the victims were buried in a mass grave and the injured yet to recover, Ungwan Barde village was attacked again on March 10 where 17 people were killed and dozens of houses burnt.
“The next day, while we were still searching for more dead bodies, Inkirimi and Dogonnoma villages in Maro were attacked, 52 people were killed and dozens injured.
“The smoke had barely settled when an attack was launched in the evening at Ungwan Gora (Labi village) with dozens injured and 43 houses burnt down. Thousands of households were displaced and the people are now moving from one village to the other in search of safety and refuge.
“In all these, not a single person has been arrested or questioned.
The group, however, stated that in a strange twist of application of justice, nine Adara elders and village chiefs were indiscriminately arrested and thrown into Kaduna prison on allegations of complicity (in the killings of 130 Fulani as announced by el-Rufai).
In a related development, the Sokoto State Command has confirmed the death of two policemen, ASP Abdullahi Maisaje and Sgt Usman Ibrahim, allegedly killed while on election duty.
Briefing journalists in Sokoto, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aminu Kogi, said the officers were ambushed by gunmen on their way to Isa LGA on March 8 in preparation for March 9 governorship and House of Assembly elections.
The state police boss condoled with the bereaved families, saying they died in service of their fatherland.
He urged the families to take solace in God, adding philosophically that “God gives and takes as well.”
Kogi announced the donation of N2 million to the family of Maisaje and N 1 million to the family of Ibrahim.
He said the donation was from the state Governor, Aminu Tambuwal.
He applauded Tambuwal for the gesture and added that the donation was not a compensation for the dead as no amount could equate human life.
The commissioner handed over the money to the wives of deceased persons.
While responding, Mrs. Maryam Abubakar, the wife of Maisaje, thanked the governor for the kind gesture.
She added that her husband was the bread winner of the family, explaining that her husband left behind nine children-four males and five females.
