At least nine people were killed yesterday during another round of attacks by suspected herdsmen on communities in Kaduna State. The attack took place in Anguwan Tudu and Agwalla Magayaki communities all in Kajuru Local Government Area. It was learnt that the incident took place about 5:30a.m.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Muhammed Jalige, was yet to respond to a message sent to the police/media WhatsApp platform, on the issue at press time.

However, Emmanuel Nagaiza, youth leader of Anguwan Tudu, in a telephone interview with journalists in Kaduna, said the bandits, who were heavily armed, started by attacking Anguwan Tudu. Nagaiza said they were shooting sporadically as they arrived the village while the villagers fled into the bushes in all directions. He said eight people were killed on the spot, while a woman who sustained serious injuries and was being rushed to the hospital died on the way. The youth leader said after attacking his community, the bandits moved to the neighbouring Agwalla Magayaki village.

However, according to him, no life was lost as the residents of the community had fled upon hearing sounds of gunshots during the attack on Anguwan Tudu. Nagaiza said when the bandits discovered that the villagers had fled, they destroyed all their property, although they did not burn their houses.

He added: “The attack was on Anguwan Tudu and Agwalla Magayaki. But the killings took place in Anguwan Tudu because when residents of Agwalla Magayaki heard sounds of gunshots in Anguwan Tudu, they fled their homes.

The youth leader claimed that the attack was carried out “by Fulani herdsmen”. He said: “They were well armed with guns, machetes and sticks. As soon as they came, they started shooting sporadically, we had to run to the bushes for our dear lives. Unfortunately, eight people were killed on the spot.

“We saw the attackers and we know them. We can identify them. We have been living peacefully with the herdsmen in our community. “In the whole of Kajuru, there is no place where the herdsmen live more comfortably like Anguwan Doka. “We don’t know what we have done to deserve this brutal attack. They have turned their back against us.”

The youth leader also called on the government and security agencies to stop the killings in Kajuru communities. He pointed out that residents of three neighbouring communities, Idanu, Anguwan Rana and Anguwan Mudi, had fled their homes following previous attacks by herdsmen. In the past three weeks, many people have been killed following attacks on communities in Kajuru. Our correspondent learnt that many of those who were rendered homeless in the attacks, were taking refuge in five IDP camps in the area.

New Telegraph