SOUTHERN KADUNA KILLINGS ON THE RISE

In recent times, Northern Nigeria has experienced unrest with the incidence of the Southern Kaduna killings especially with the latest attacks.

On 20 July approximately nine people were killed and an unknown number were injured and displaced following an attack on Gora Gan village in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area (LGA) which occurred at around 7.00pm.

The Southern Kaduna killings are becoming increasingly alarming as the destruction and death toll continues to go up.

On 19 July Fulani assailants armed with guns and machetes attacked a wedding reception at a home in Kukum Daji village in the Kaura LGA at around 10.30pm, killing 15 and injuring around 30 people.

Most of the victims were young people. Several survivors received treatment in medical facilities in Kafanchan, while others were transported to Barau Dikko Hospital in Kaduna metropolis, where three later died, raising the death toll to 18. 

According to local reports, the attack on Kukum Daji was one of several on locations in Kaura LGA.  Kagoro, Manchok and Malugum were also attacked; however, there is no accurate information on the number of casualties.

Prior to these attacks, on 20 June, a warning of the presence of some 600 heavily armed militia men in the Zangang Hills, was issued.

Although the Kaduna State Government sent soldiers to search parts of the area, both the commissioner of internal security, and Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai later dismissed the report as false.

The attacks are a part of a rampage targeting communities in southern Kaduna which has been ongoing since January 2020, and is characterized by murder, looting, rape, abductions for ransom and forced displacement.

The failure of state and federal governments to properly and sufficiently address the violence in these areas has further strengthened alarming rise in deadly rural banditry, including the Southern Kaduna killings.

These attacks have left a bloody trail of death, destruction of property, desolation and displacement.

It is our hope and prayer that God sends help and heals the victims of the Southern Kaduna killings, and also help the Nigerian government to restore sanity.