The
remains of about 150 Southern Kaduna natives, were, yesterday, buried in a mass
grave in Unguwant Gata, Maroa Chiefdom of Karua Local Government Area of the
state, according to a local chief from the area.
Sankwai,
Tekum and Unguwan Gata villages in Maroa Chiefdom were, Saturday, invaded by
what villagers said were Fulani gunmen, killing no fewer than 200 natives and
burning the three villages, after plundering them.
It was
gathered that all Southern Kaduna villages were sombre, over the attacks,
as special prayers were offered for the deceased in all churches.
Meanwhile,
the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, SOKAPU, the umbrella body for
ethnic nationalities in the southern part of Kaduna State, has said that the
people of the area, have no choice than to defend themselves against the
frequent attacks and killings by the Fulani gunmen.
Addressing
newsmen, yesterday, in Kaduna, President of SOKAPU, Dr. Ephraim Goje, said that
the persistent attacks and massacres of their people was a clear indication
that the government and the security agencies were not capable of
protecting them.
He said
the people were being pushed to the wall as they were being killed and their
homes and property destroyed, adding that it had become imperative for them to
defend themselves by whatever means necessary.
Goje
said, “the Fulanis have unofficially declared war on our people. No community
has the monopoly of violence, so our people are being pushed to a level that we
may take certain actions aimed at defending ourselves and our land in order to
put an end to this impunity and senseless killings.”
He added
that over 5,000 people had been displaced in the 40 attacks on communities in
the southern part of the state since 2011.
“We have
identified the perpetrators as Fulani herdsmen as responsible for the attacks
and killings, but each time we raise this observation, the Fulani
socio-cultural organisations within the state have out-rightly denied the
involvement of their people, asking for proofs.”
He added
that two Fulani youths in Manchok led Saturday’s attack, during which 219
people were killed, noting that the Fulani youths died in the process and their
corpses were identified by the locals.
“The
recent attack was led by two well known young Fulanis resident in Manchock
town, who died in the process. Their dead bodies had clearly and unambiguously
been identified by the natives and their corpses are now kept by the Joint Task
Force, JTF, Command in Kafanchan for further forensic screening.
“This has
clearly vindicated us and confirms our earlier position that the Fulanis have
declared a jihad on the people of Southern Kaduna and Nigeria, evidenced by
this genocide in Bondong, the murder in Katsina State, Birnin Gwari, Plateau,
Zamfara, Taraba, Benue, among others.
“In some
of these attacks, suspects had been arrested and handed over to security
agencies for prosecution, only for the culprits to be seen working freely on
the streets the next day.
“What
comes to our minds now is that, truly, the Fulanis have unofficially declared
war on our people. Let it be placed on record that no community has the
monopoly of violence, so our people are being pushed to the wall and we may
take certain steps aimed at defending ourselves and our land in order to put an
end to this impunity,” Goje warned.
He
lamented the lack of collaboration between security agencies in Kaduna and
Plateau states, noting that the attackers often come in from the Plateau axis
to attack Atakar and Marwa chiefdoms, which are bordering Plateau State, adding
that each time they are chased by security agents from Kaduna State, they run
to the Plateau where they walk freely to celebrate their so-called victories.
Vanguard.
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