…as hoodlums attack church, raze herders settlement
The death toll in the Sunday night’s attacks on Agban Kagoro in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State has risen to 37 with the recovering of three additional corpses including those of two soldiers.
The incident which affected four locations of of Tsonje, Agban, Katanga and Kadarko, all within the Kagoro Chiefdom, sparked off violent protests by irate youths.
The development had forced the Kaduna State Government to slam a 24-hour-curfew on Jema’a and Kaura Local Government Areas which shared boundaries to avoid further escalation of the violence and also to forestall further breakdown of law and order the areas.
However, even with the imposition of the 24-hour-curfew, some kilometres away from the two councils, herders’ settlements got razed by yet-to-be identified attackers in Zango-Kataf community.
The state Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, who stated this on Wednesday, also said three additional corpses were recovered from Jema’a and Kaura LGs.
According to the commissioner, the three recovered corpses were citizens killed by the mob on Monday.
Aruwan identified the corpses as the remains of one Ibrahim Isiyaku (Danasabe) of No 143, Bauchi Street, Kafanchan, and those of Mallam Ibrahim Rilwanu and Malam Lawali Zubairu, both of No.5 Emir Road of Kafanchan.
Similarly, the Commissioner disclosed that the Fountain of Life Baptist Church, Kafanchan was attacked and its glass windows shattered. He also said a bus belonging to the Baptist School of Health Technology, Kafanchan was attacked and vandalised while the driver sustained cutlass injuries and currently receiving treatment.
In a related development, the commissioner said hoodlums attacked and burnt two herders’ settlements in Zauru and Kurdan in Zangon Kataf LGA.
The commissioner said, “Security agencies have reported that they have discovered three corpses of some citizens killed by a mob on Monday in two locations in both Kaura and Jema’a LGAs.
“The corpse picked around Kagoro Roundabout has been identified as the remains of one Ibrahim Isiyaku (Danasabe) of No 143, Bauchi Street, Kafanchan.
“Two other corpses recovered at a location named ‘Binzom’ behind the Kafanchan campus of Kaduna State University have also been identified as the remains of Malam Ibrahim Rilwanu and Malam Lawali Zubairu, both of No.5 Emir Road of Kafanchan.
“This brings the total reported death toll from Sunday’s attacks and the ensuing violence to 37.”
He added, “In a connected incident on Monday, the Fountain of Life Baptist Church, Kafanchan was attacked and its glass windows shattered.
“Furthermore, on Monday, a bus belonging to the Baptist School of Health Technology, Kafanchan was attacked and vandalised. The driver of the bus, one Mr Bamaiyi, sustained cutlass injuries and is receiving treatment in a clinic.
“In another development, security agencies have reported that some hoodlums attacked and burnt down two herders’ settlements in Zauru and Kurdan in Zangon Kataf LGA.
“As of the time of this report, the Chairman of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area, Mr. Francis Sani Zimbo, is holding an emergency security meeting with traditional and community leaders of Kurdan and Zauru over the incident.”
Meanwhile, the commissioner quoted Governor Nasir el-Rufai to have received the reports of the latest attack with sadness.
This is just as he reminded residents to comply with with the 24-hour curfew which remained in force in Kaura and Jema’a LGAs to enable security operatives to work in order to prevent further violence.
“Governor Nasir el-Rufa’i received the reports with deep sadness, and sent condolences to the families of the victims, as he prayed for the repose of their souls. He wished the injured driver a quick recovery.
“The governor also appealed to herders whose settlements were burnt to take recourse to law and allow government and security agencies to handle the matter.
“The governor has been receiving hourly briefs of the security situation in Kaura and Jema’a LGAs, and other locations in the state.
“Citizens are reminded to comply fully with the 24-hour curfew which remains in force in Kaura and Jema’a LGAs. This will enable security agencies work effectively towards preventing further violence.
“Search patrols by security agencies are being sustained in the area. Emerging updates will be communicated to the public,” the commissioner added.
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