10 killed as suspected herdsmen attack Kaduna

Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen attacked two villages in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State yesterday, leaving 10 people dead and many injured. Victims were rushed for urgent medical treatment at the General Hospital in Birnin Gwari. 

Kaduna police spokesman, ASP Hussaini Mukhtar,  however, confirmed only five persons were killed, saying they were “mainly vigilantes and a manhunt is underway with a combined team of the police and military to arrest the killers.”

The attack by the armed herdsmen, according to eyewitnesses, began in Dangaji village and Ungwan Gajere  on Friday night and lasted till yesterday. The villagers were killed, maimed and their homes set ablaze. Some of the inhabitants have fled to safer communities.

An inhabitant of the community told journalists that, “It is unfortunate that since Friday night we encountered the attack of herdsmen in the village of Dangaji,” adding t “after they penetrated the village they came into other places and burnt houses down.

“This early morning (yesterday) they went to another village, Kutemechi in Unguwan Gajere where they killed about nine men.

“After they burnt the villagers’ houses, the last victim was rushed to the hospital, but unfortunately he died on the way.

“Right now, all the villagers have fled and scattered into other communities where they can find shelter.”

Besides, it was also gathered that a week ago, three people were kidnapped in Dangaji village and the abductors demanded N6 million as ransom. Most of the villagers are farmers.

The eyewitness said: “It was after the incident that the herdsmen now attacked the village and killed the 10 people. Many people have been taken to the General Hospital in Birnin Gwari.

Some were said to have died in the hospital.”

 He said Army personnel were deployed in the affected areas, “but before they could get there the herdsmen had disappeared.”

- Sun News