By Hassan Zaggi
Kaduna state indigene across all faiths have raised their voices against the incessant killings of innocent residents of villages in the southern part of the state.
They expressed their anger after news filter in that the death toll as a result of the Saturday’s attack by gunmen suspected to be militia herders on the Ungwan Wakili community in Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State has risen to 17.
It would be recalled that Ungwan Wakili has experience series of attacks by gun men in the past few years leading to the killing of many people and the destruction of property worth millions of naira in the area.
The initial death toll following the Saturday attack was said to be 15, however, the number has risen to 17.
Confirming the two addition deaths to newsmen, the Executive Chairman of Zangon Kataf local government, Francis Sani, disclosed that two of the injured victims died today (Sunday) at different hospitals in Kafanchan and Kaduna where they were receiving treatment.
It would be recalled that, the Chairman earlier disclosed that 15 persons died after the gunmen attacked the Ungwan Wakili community on Saturday night.
The latest two more people died from severe injuries from gunshots and machete cuts.
They victims will soon be buried after due consultation with their families.
Reacting to the killing of the 17 people, a former member of the House of Representative from the northern part of Kaduna state who pleaded not to be named, expressed worry over the endless attacks of innocent residents of the Southern part of the state, especially, Ungwan Wakili and other settlements in Zangon Kataf Local Government of the State.
“I suggest the state government launched a thorough investigation on why that village has been on constant attack by gun men since the past few years. What have they done to warrant this? Why is the state government unable to unravel the killers and halt the killings once and for all? These are questions that must be answered.
“I want to advice residents of Zangon Kataf Local Government and Southern Kaduna in general to come out next Saturday and speak with one voice by voting out the APC government.
“This is important so that we will know where these killings are coming from. We are worried that innocent people are being killed in the state and the government seems incapacitated to do anything about it.”
On his part, an indigene of the Southern Kaduna who is resident in Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bulus Yakubu, said that he was shock to hear that residents of Ungwan Wakili have suffered another attack from gunmen.
“What is the sin of our people that they are being killed on a daily basis? I think the best thing to do is for our people to find a way of protecting themselves from these killers.
“The government, to me, is culpable on this. They want to ensure that our people do not vote in the forthcoming governorship election, but I must tell you that they are coming late. No matter what, we must make sure we contribute in changing this APC government so that we will see where all these troubles are coming from.
“Since the past 7 years, hundreds of our people have loss their lives. Property worth millions of naira have been destroyed and still , they are running after our people. This must change by the grace of God.
“I appeal to the security agencies to, as a matter of urgency, intervene and ensure that our people are protected from these ‘devils” whose main preoccupation is to kill and destroy.”
