Gunmen kill three, kidnap scores in Kaduna

Godwin Isenyo, Kaduna

Some gunmen in the early hours of Sunday invaded Buda Community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State and killed three persons.

The National President of the Adara Development Association, Awemi Dio Maisamari, who confirmed the attack, said scores of persons were also kidnapped during the incident.

Maisamari, in a statement in Kaduna on Sunday, claimed that the attack took place about 2am when the natives were asleep.

The fresh attack occurred a few days after the Justice Isa Aliyu-led Commission of Inquiry into the incessant violent crises in the Kajuru LG, submitted its report to Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

The statement read, “Today, Sunday, 6th September 2020 at 2.00am, the Adara community of Buda, in Buda Ward of Kajuru LGA came under another deadly attack from suspected Fulani militia.

“The premeditated and unprovoked attack claimed the lives of three people namely Rev. Alubara Audu, 45, with five children; Adamu Tata, 40, with four children and Ishaku Peter, 37, with five children. Furthermore, the following persons were abducted – Sani Peter, 25 and Esther Sani Peter, 20.

“At around the same time, the terrorists also abducted five people from neighboring Kemara Rimi community of Buda Ward. They are Ojo Aminu, 35, Danfulani Makaranta, 37, Namiji Gwamna, 36. Ali Musa, 36 and Grace Mathew, 16.”

The statement also recalled that “these callous and barbaric attacks sometimes abate but never really stop in Adara community. On Sunday 16th August 2020, another fatal attack occurred at Kallah village on the banks of river Kaduna.

“This resulted in the death of Mr. Danladi Abashi, a 50-year-old farmer who ventured near the villages that were invaded and are still occupied by Fulani herdsmen in the Kallah/Gefe/Libere area of Kajuru LGA. His body was only recovered with the help of the police because the herdsmen disallowed Adara people from even approaching the occupied enclave.

“Similarly, the incidents of abductions of innocent people for ransom are also continuing. On 27th August 2020, five incidents of kidnapping occurred including that of Daniel Shuaibu and Abednego Paul from their residence at Maraban Kajuru.

“During the operation, Mr. Sunday Barau was shot and injured, and the abductees are still with their abductors because his helpless family has been unable to meet their demands.

“Another of the incidents is that of the abduction of Master Pius Gargai who was abducted from their family residence at Maraban Rido. He too is still with the kidnappers because of inability to meet their demands.

“Also, on 2nd September 2020, four persons were abducted from Rafin Roro village in Kasuwan Magani Ward of Kajuru LGA. One of them managed to escape and three are still being held.”

The Kaduna State Police Command has yet to confirm the latest incident.

As of the time of filing this report, the Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Mohammed Jalige, could not be reached and there was no reply to a text message sent to his telephone.