Godwin Isenyo, Kaduna
Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen on Sunday night reportedly killed three persons among them, one Pastor Luka Ubangari of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Unguwan Anjo, near Godogodo in the Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The cleric was said to have been ambushed, shot and killed while on his motorcycle after an evangelical visit to Golkofa, also in the area.
The incident occurred a few days after the state governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, visited Godogodo and Sanga districts, in the Jema’a and Sanga local governments areas, all in the southern part of the state to appraise the attacks of suspected Fulani herdsmen in the area.
El-Rufai in the affected villages of Gada Biyu, Anjo and Godogodo penultimate Tuesday, condemned the killings, describing them as ‘senseless,’ promising to arrest the perpetrators.
A source told our correspondent that two days after the murder of Ubangari, suspected herdsmen attacked Ningon village, 6km from Gwantu, headquarters of Sanga LGA, killing two persons and seriously injuring another person.
The source, who craved for anonymity, noted that their joy during the visit of the state governor to the area, turned sour as result of the latest attack.
He said, “We were happy that Governor Nasir el-Rufai visited and assured us of improved security and that the killers would be found and punished.
“To our shock, Pastor Luka Ubangari was ambushed, shot and killed as he was riding his motorcycle after an evangelical visit to Golkofa. He was killed by Fulani men who were out to remove us from our ancestral lands.”
Mr. Nuhu Tukura, the President of the Ningon Community Development Association, said Ningon was attacked on Sunday night and two natives, Gambo Sule, 38, and Benjamin Auta, 35, were killed by gunmen.
He added that the police only arrived on Monday morning following a distressed call put on to them on Sunday night.
Tukura said, “At 8:45pm Sunday night, Mr. Gambo Sule, 38, Mr. Benjamin Auta, 35, were killed by unknown herdsmen.
“We are seriously troubled by all these happenings. Now, we don’t even know what we can do to have rest. Our farms, we cannot go, and our houses we cannot live in. What else shall we do?
“We called the police immediately the incident occurred around 8:45pm on Sunday night, but they did not come until around 7:30, this morning, (Monday). “We are pleading with the state government to help us with security and assist us in feeding. Most farmers are afraid to go to the farm and there will be food scarcity problem this year and the next.”
The Kaduna State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Aliyu Usman, who confirmed the incident told our correspondent on phone that only one person was killed.
Usman said but for the timely intervention of the police, the casualty figures would have been higher.
He said the police used armoured personnel carriers to chase the armed bandits out of the villages.
Usman said, “When the people learnt of the invasion of the attackers, the police in the area swiftly moved in with APC to chase away the attackers. However, one person was killed. Our men acted quickly to save the situation.”
– PUNCH
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