Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen have killed 30 in an attack on Runji community, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna state.
At least six people were also reported injured while 32 houses were burnt by the invaders.
It was gathered that the incident occurred on Saturday at about 10pm when the gunmen invaded the community and opened fire on the villagers most of who were said to be already asleep.
Some of the victims were said to have been burnt beyond recognition as the bandits set their houses ablaze.
Sam Kambai, a member of House of Assembly elect, from the area, condemned the attack in a telephone interview on Sunday.
Kambai called on security agencies to stop the persistent killings in the area which has destroyed many lives and property.
He said 30 people were killed while 32 houses were set ablaze by the invaders.
He expressed condolences with families who loss their loved ones in the attack and prayed for the reposed of their souls.
He also prayed for the speedy recovery of those who sustained injuries.
It was gathered that the local vigilante group in the community attempted to engaged the invaders, but were subdued by the bandits.
The subsequent intervention of the military taskforce was said to have saved the community from being wiped out by the killers.
Samuel Aruwan, Kaduna state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday, but did not give casualty figures.
He said “several lives were loss” in the attack.
The commissioner said preliminary reports indicated that “the attack also left some residents injured and an unspecified number of houses burnt down in the community.“
Aruwan said the report further indicated that, “troops had a fierce encounter with the attackers and are still in the general area.”
“While waiting for a detailed report, Governor Nasir El-Rufai who received the preliminary report in the early hours of Sunday, has condemned the killings as unacceptable and unjustifiable”, the statement said.
Aruwan said the governor expressed condolences to the families that loss their loved ones and prayed for the repose of the victims souls as well as for the speedy recovery of the injured.
He said the Kaduna state government will update the public on the incident as soon as detailed reports are received from security agencies.
