Gunmen kill family of six in Kaduna raid
Six members of a family were on Thursday killed in Madauchi, near Zonkwa in Zango-Kataf Local Government of Kaduna State. The killing, it was learnt, was carried out by about 20 gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.
The incident, which took place between 11pm and 2am, was allegedly targeted at Mr. Yakubu Kayit’ house.
An eyewitness told our correspondent that when the
gunmen arrived in the village, they shot sporadically into the air for
over 30 minutes.
The killings immediately sparked off protest by the youth of the village who took to the streets.
They alleged that Kayit’s house was set ablaze.
The protesting youths criticised the withdrawal of military men from the area.
One of the protesters, Bala Samaila said, “The
military had no business being here if they can not protect us.
They can
go. We can protect ourselves.”
Also, National President of Bajju Youth Association,
Gad Ezekiel, said the attackers killed all the members of the family,
except a little girl.
Another resident, Emmanuel Danboyi, alleged that they spotted a trailer parked near the building before the incident.
He said, “In the day time, we saw a trailer parked
there but when we had gone to bed, we began to hear gun shots. I had to
evacuate my family to a safe place. Later, we discovered that all the
people in the house had been burnt beyond recognition.”
Another resident, who will not want his name in
print, said despite the military checkpoint in the area, the gunmen shot
sporadically into the air for 30 minutes.
He, therefore, wondered why the security men could not rescue the victims.
The council Chairman, Mr. Dominic Yahaya, confirmed the killings.
He said, “An attack took place at Madauchi, near
Zonkwa early this (Thursday) morning. Six people were shot and killed.
Only one body was brought out of the building.”
When contacted, the Police Public Relations officer
in the state, Aminu Lawan, told our correspondent on the telephone that
the command was aware of the attack.
Lawan, said the command had commenced investigation into the incident but added that no arrest had been made.
He said, “Yes, we are aware of the incident at Maduachi and investigation is ongoing.”
Meanwhile, Governor, Patrick Yakowa said he was saddened by the killing.
The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Reuben Buhari, described it as “barbaric.”
He noted that despite unwarranted and deliberate
attempt to cause chaos, his administration would not be deterred in
securing the state.
The statement read in part, “His Excellency, the
Governor of Kaduna State is truly saddened by the gory incident in
Madauchi, Zangon Kataf Local Government.
“More saddening is the fact that this incident came
when more concerted efforts by this government, through the Peace and
Reconciliation Committee, are being made to entrench lasting and
sustainable peace in the state.”
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