30 killed, houses burnt in fresh S’Kaduna attack

*Victims mostly women, children

idibia Gabriel, Kaduna

Again, armed bandits have reportedly killed 30 persons in Madamai and Abun Villages in Kaura Local Government Area of Southern Kaduna in Kaduna State.

The attack was said to have occurred in the late hours of Sunday.

Confirming the attack on Monday morning, Reverend Father Michael Magaji of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, said that the armed bandits came in large numbers, shooting sporadically and in the process killing 30 persons.

He said that majority of those killed were women and children.

He also said many houses were burnt, while those who sustained injuries have been taken to the hospital.

The Senator representing Kaduna South, Danjuma La’ah, has condemned the attack.

He said that the people of Southern Kaduna have been experiencing a series of attacks in recent times, where hundreds of people have been killed.

The lawmaker appealed to the people of the area to remain calm and not to take the law into their hands.

He called on the authorities concerned to beef up security in the area, to avoid further attacks which may escalate the loss of lives and property in the area.

He added that if the government refuses to take proactive measures to address the issue, the people will be left with no option other than to embark on self-defence.

Kaduna State Police Command spokesman, Muhammed Jalige, could not respond when contacted for confirmation.

However, the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, who confirmed the attack, condemned it and called on security agencies to fish out the perpetrators.

The Kaduna State Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said the state government would bear the cost of treatment of those injured, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

He said Gov el-Rufai has therefore directed the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency to assess the situation with a view to assisting the affected households.

He consoled with the families of the victims and prayed for the repose of the souls of those that died.

Gov el-Rufai appealed for calm and urged the security agencies to intensify efforts at fishing out the culprits.

Earlier, Aruwan had said in a statement that security agencies reported the killings in Kaura to the government.

He said troops mobilised to the location but also came under fire, before forcing the assailants to withdraw after an intense exchange.