Hundreds killed in fresh Kaduna attacks

Barely 24 hours after gunmen killed 38 people in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State, about 100 people have been killed in the same local government.

According to the Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the attack was perpetrated by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Rev. Sunday Ibrahim, CAN’s secretary in the state, expressed sadness and emphasized the need for harmonious existence despite religious differences.

“Reports reaching me from our Sanga branch reveal that terrible things have happened to our members there. We are told that over 100 people have been killed from Tuesday afternoon into the night. This is very sad,” he said.

“Residents of Kaduna State must learn to respect the sanctity of human lives. No religion preaches murder of any person. The villages that were attacked were Dogon Daji, Kobin, Naidu, Kabamu-Karshi, Hayin Kwanta, Kabani and Gani.

“Some people have been arrested among the attackers and were identified as Fulani men. I believe that they are terrorists because the Fulani that we live with cannot do this thing.”

Ibrahim called on the government to intensify security around communities prone to such attacks and  urged against provocation on the part  of Christians.

“There was a time some of us did not believe that the killings in southern Kaduna have any religious connotation, but from the chanting, it has taken a religious dimension.

“The government must step up security in the Southern part of Kaduna state. I want to urge our people to stay calm and not take the law into their hands, for that will not be the way of Christians.”

Distancing Fulani residents in the area from the attack, Ibrahim wondered why such could happen despite a peace agreement reached by both parties.

“The people that carry out the attacks are terrorists and Fulani by tribe. The decent Fulani we know won’t kill people without pity,” he said.

A 24-hour curfew has been imposed in the affected areas.

Emmanuel Adamu, chairman of Sanga Local Government Area, said the curfew was imposed to restore normalcy and forestall further loss of lives.