Fulani militia killed 33 in fresh Southern Kaduna attack- SOKAPU

The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union has said that contrary to the claim by the police, 33 persons were on Wednesday and Thursday killed by Fulani militia in some villages in Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The Kaduna State Police Command had claimed that 21 natives of the area lost their lives during the attack by the bandits.

The National Public Relations Officer of the SOKAPU, Luka Binniyat, in a statement on Thursday faulting the position of the Kaduna State Police Command.

According to SOKAPU, the affected communities were identified as Apyia’Shyim, A’Piako, Atak’Mawei and Kibori, all in Atyap Chiefdom of Zangon Kataf LGA.

Binniyat said prior to the attack, there was intensive patrol, with security personnel enforcing the 24-hour curfew put in place by the Kaduna State Government.

He, however, said “when the gunmen struck, they were not on the ground,” adding that the gunmen operated between 11pm and 4am without any challenge.

He said: “Last night, 33 Atyap natives, who were among hundreds of thousands of already starving indigenes under a 24-hour rigidly imposed curfew that was 65 days yesterday, were killed in five Atyap villages in Atyap Chiefdom, Zango Kataf LGA in southern part of Kaduna State by Fulani militia.

“Last night, around 11pm, truckloads of armed Fulani militia made their way through military checkpoints under the curfew and stormed Apiashyim and Kibori villages. They laid siege to Apyaishyim, killing, looting and burning houses. In the wake of the cruelty, they left six people dead, and 20 houses burnt.

“In nearby Kibori village, seven persons were killed by the marauding, pampered Fulani militia. Around 12am, they struck Atakmawei sleeping community and carried out another carnage after which 12 persons were killed and 10 houses burnt.

“In Apiako, scared villagers who hid under grown maize crops, said they saw what looked like an armoured military truck pulled up at the village square, followed by familiar military motor bikes. While the attackers were busy killing, no attempt was made to stop them.”