Twelve people have been killed following an attack by suspected fulani herdsmen on Apiyejim village, near Kibori, Atyap Chiefdom, Zango-Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna state.
The attack came less than 24 hours after the murder of Rev. Silas Yakubu Ali, a pastor of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in the same community.
Ali was said to have been ambushed on Saturday by yet to be identified assailants while returning home from Kafanchan.
The attackers were said to have invaded the community at about 5:30pm on Sunday when it was raining.
A resident of the community who pleaded anonymity, said the gunmen were many, adding that they started shooting sporadically after laying siege on the village.
“The came at 5:30 pm on Sunday when it was raining. Suddenly we heard gunshots and everybody started running.
“As we were running, they were pursuing us and firing at us. “One was speaking to others in fulani language. The attack lasted for about 10 minutes and they killed 11 people on the spot. Some people are still missing”, the source said in a telephone chat on Monday.
According to him, by the time security personnel arrived the village, the criminals had left.
Confirming the incident in a statement on Monday, the Kaduna state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said the gunmen stormed the village late on Sunday evening.
He said those killed include Philbia Ysuaf, Suzanna Ezekiel
Rahib Alex , Ishaku Bamaiyi
Deborah Ishaku and Tinat Bamaiyi.
Others, according to the commissioner, include Zichat Kefas, Sunday Daniel, Hauwa Gabriel, Fedelia Famson, Sadia Donald and Goodness Kefas. The statement added that two other residents were injured and were receiving treatment.
Aruwan said “Governor Nasir El-Rufai expressed profound grief at the report of another deadly incident in the area.”
According to the statement the governor “sent his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims slain in the mindless and gruesome attack, and prayed for the repose of their souls.”
He added that governor wished the injured residents a quick recovery.
According to Aruwan, “Security agencies are poised to sustain patrols in the area, as investigations into the incident progress.”
Zangon Kataf LGA is one of the areas facing serious security challenges in Kaduna state.
The recently concluded council polls in the state was suspended in the area and rescheduled for September 25, due to security concerns.
