TheCable

The death toll in the recent attacks on Malagum 1 and Sokwong communities of Kagoro chiefdom in Kaura LGA of Kaduna state has reportedly risen to more than 30.

The attacks, which occurred in the late hours of Sunday, also led to the destruction of several buildings in the communities.

More than 20 persons were initially said to have died in the incident.

But according to a source in the area, 11 more fatalities have been recorded following the discovery of corpses jn bushes.

‘BARBARIC ACT’

Joseph Hayab, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna, in a statement, described the incident as “barbaric” and said the government must fish out the killers.

“This massacre has further proven that the killers of the Southern Kaduna people have not yet been neutralised as claimed,” the statement reads.

“The federal government and the security agencies must not let the killers escape. Those who committed this evil must be fished out, arrested, and brought to face justice.

“These renewed killings may be a strategy to scare the people from exercising their rights and to further increase fear and impoverish them.

“Accordingly, CAN condemns this barbaric act in the strongest terms but appeals for calm, calling on the government and security to rise to the duty of protecting lives and property.”

The Kaduna government has also expressed its condolences to the communities over the development.

“The Kaduna State Government has sent heartfelt condolences to the Malagum and Sokwong communities in Kaura LGA,” a statement by Samuel Aruwan, Kaduna commissioner for internal security and home affairs, reads.

“The military and other security agencies reported that bandits attacked the locations and killed several citizens while burning houses and other properties.

“Governor Nasir El-Rufai expressed deep sadness at the report of the incident and prayed for the repose of the souls of those killed, while offering condolences to their families.

“The Governor condemned the attacks as inhuman, considering the efforts of government, security forces, the traditional institution and other critical stakeholders within the last week.

“The Governor has also directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to urgently provide relief materials to the communities.”

Aruwan added that “urgent security intervention” is ongoing in the area by troops.