Group urges investigation into alleged Kaduna killings

A coalition of Fulani groups has called for investigation into alleged recent mass killings of Fulani pastoralists in Atyap community in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna state.

The alleged killings have forced the state government to impose a 24-hour curfew in the affected communities.

The group in a joint statement made available in Kaduna, said that it was imperative to draw the attention of government, the media, civil society organisations and the international community to the killings.

“Since June 11to date, our members are being deliberately targeted and killed. This has left us with no other conclusion than the fact that they are premeditated and well planned.

“We however, urge our members to remain calm and law abiding to authorities, to ensure that justice is served on the perpetrators of all the attacks.

“We appreciate the efforts and prompt response of security personnel and the government toward ensuring that normalcy returns to the area. We urge them to also ensure that the dead bodies of our members were recovered for burial accordingly.

“We also want to state that we will no longer fold our arms as individuals and groups to allow anybody no matter how highly placed to intimidate, harass, undermine, oppress or underrate our people any longer in any form or in any part of this state.

“The government should ensure that culprits and their sponsors are identified, arrested, prosecuted, convicted and executed to serve as deterrence to others,” they said.

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The group also warned that any form of aggression, intimidation, blackmail, attack, hate, victimisation or oppression of the Fulanis by the Kataf (Atyap) youths and their sponsors must stop.

They appealed to the government, individuals and groups to urgently render humanitarian services and assistance to the injured and other survivors of the attack.

“The government should as well cater for the internally displaced persons who are scattered across different areas and are in dire need of food, shelter and other forms of assistance,” the group said.

The coalition comprised Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Mobgal Fulbe Development Association (MOFDA) and Gan Allah Fulbe Development Association of Nigeria (GAFDAN.

Others are the Bandiraku Fulbe Youth Association of Nigeria (BAFYAN) and Fulbe Development and Cultural Organisation (FUDECO).