Three killed as gunmen invade Kaduna community

Three people were killed in Kajuru local government area of Kaduna state following an attack by gunmen on Saturday.

It was learnt that gunmen, numbering eight and riding on motorcycles, invaded Chikwari village on Saturday at about 5 pm and opened fire on the villagers, before they fled the scene.

The incident was said to have fuelled tension and suspicion among the Adara indigenous ethnic group and the Fulani.

Sources said the latest incident was one of several attacks on communities in Kajuru, which is still recovering from bloody communal clashes that ravaged the area in 2019.

Condemning the incident, Samuel Aruwan, Kaduna state commissioner for internal security and home affairs, warned communities against resorting to self-help to settle scores.

Speaking at a security engagement with the people of the area on Sunday in Kajuru, Aruwan urged them to always follow the law to settle grievances and not resort to jungle justice, as security operatives are working round the clock to ensure peace in the area.

“As a government, we will not shy away from confronting threats to peace, law and order, and we will also not shy away from taking hard decisions that will better common good and public interest,” he said.

He said the state government and security agencies have been doing their best to stem the tide of bloodshed in Kajuru, adding that security agencies met with Adara and Fulani youths, and community leaders to appeal for peace and self-restraint.

“There is no justification for killing and maiming people on their farms or homes. People in their huts or while grazing are attacked and killed for no reason but sheer cruelty and evil,” he said.

“We must rise and support government and security agencies in tackling this unwholesome trend. What we are experiencing here is inhumanity perpetrated by criminals, and criminals must not be shielded with religious and ethnic identities.”

He added that persons found guilty of causing trouble would face the law.