By Luka Binniyat, National Public Relations Officer, Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), 12th May 2020.
The unending cruelty and wanton destruction of lives and property of Southern Kaduna communities continued last night as armed Fulani militia lay siege to Gonan Rogo village, Kajuru Local Government Area (LGA) killing 17 persons, critically injured 6 and rustled cows.
SOKAPU visited the village today around 12 noon and saw firsthand the horror inflicted on the poor Adara village, 64 km away from Kaduna metropolis on the Kaduna – Kachia road.
The armed Fulani militia struck around 11:30pm. They broke into the home of Jonathan Yakubu, 40 and slaughtered him. They also killed his wife, Sheba Yakubu 32, and hacked to death their three children: Patience 13, Revelation 6 and Rejoice 4, thus wiping out the entire Yakubu household.
We met relations of the Yakubus who were sobbing beyond consolation in front of the humble house Yakubu had built.
From this compound trails of blood led to another gory scene of where Kauna Magaji was killed along with her daughter, Faith Magaji who died of grisly cutlass cut to their heads.
Still not done, the killers went to another compound where they met Saraunia Lucky, 25, newly married and had given birth to her baby 3 months ago. With the baby cuddled in her arms in fear, she was shot dead and the bullet passed through the soft skull of the baby. But by some strange streak of luck the baby survived and was rushed to a nearby hospital where a bullet was removed from the head.
When we visited the village the baby was nursed by an auntie who also looked helpless. She told us that since the previous night the baby had not had any milk but was only taking water. She said that where she could buy infant milk was under lockdown. Again, rescue came as clergy from Albarka Baptist Church, Gwari avenue, Kaduna who came on condolence visit, took the baby and auntie to Kaduna for better attention and care.
But 6 years old John Paul was not lucky as he was hacked to death.
Also killed were Asanalo Magaji 32, and Yayo Magaji 13.
Paul Bawa, 27 and his wife, Rahila, 25, were butchered in their homes.
In another compound, Mailafia Dalhatu, 60 was killed as he tried to escape. His younger brother, Yaro Dalhatu 56, was killed in another compound, with his wife, Saratu, 45. Their granddaughter, Blessing Yari 14, was also killed.
Another boy, called Popular Teacher, just 17 was gunned down.
In total, no fewer than 17 persons were murdered in cold blood for no apparent reason by persons who the villagers indentified as Fulani. Six persons are now receiving treatments in various hospitals. A total of seven cows were rustled. The compound of Liberty Yari was razed but he was lucky to escape with his household.
Their Fulani neighbors, some who have been living around the community for 40 years had all quietly left the night before the attack.
We left the village while a grave was being dug for the mass burial of the victims.
There were no single security personnel in the village.
It is therefore clear that while Kaduna State Government is enforcing the lockdown against COVID-19 with all its might, it has little or no interest in securing our law-abiding, defenseless communities against these unrelenting massacre and ethnic cleansing.
We call on all men and women of conscience, groups, organisations and the international community to assist us in persuading the government of Kaduna state government and the Federal Government of Nigeria to save us from the swords and bullets of these outlaws.
Editor’s Note: As we were preparing this for publication, we learnt another village, Mikyali, was allegedly under attack from bandits. Last night, Bakin Kogi and Idanu villages were allegedly attacked around the same area.
Nigeria Everyday reached out to a spokesperson of the Kaduna State government on Tuesday for a reaction, but he is yet to get back nearly 24 hours later.