Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen have once again attacked Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State in the wee hours of Thursday, August 7.
This time, the gunmen invaded Magamiya, Kibori(Asha-a-Wuce), and Kurmin Masara all in the Zangon Kataf Local government.
Due to the killing of a farmer in Zangon in June, the Kaduna State Government had imposed a 24-hour curfew on Zangon Kataf and Kauru Local Government areas on June 11, which was still in place when the fresh attacks took place.
TNG gathered that the villagers attempted to resist the attackers but could not do so due to the superior weapons the attackers had.
Amongst the villages attacked includes Piezihim in Kibori village, Kurmin Masara, Takmawai, Takpaisa, and Magamiya. “….the Fulani men came in from Zaman Dabo forest firing shots in Zama-Awon but where repelled by Magamiya youths….” Yashim Kambai a resident of Zaman-Dabo told TNG. “….it is in the process of the attack some persons lost their lives….” He added.
Secretary, Atyap Traditional Council, Mr Stephen Akut, confirmed the development to a local news source, saying ‘the attackers were said to be in their numbers and that the casualty figures are still sketchy. Security operatives have been mobilize to the affected communities.’
The Chairman of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area, Dr Elias Manza, confirmed that three corpses were recovered in Kurmin Masara, six in Apyia Shyam (Asha’a Wuce) and 10 in Takmawai where the destruction of property was massive.
TGN spoke to one of the bereaved, Mr Mbason Aboi at Kibori Village who narrated how his Father and two nephews were killed. “…they shot my father and two little boys who couldn’t run for their lives ….” Aboi said.
In Kurmin Masara two families were reportedly wiped out by the attackers who shot and set ablaze their houses.
Other injured victims are current recieving treatment at the Saint Louis Hospital and the General Hospital Zonkwa.