11 killed as ‘herdsmen’ raid 3 villages in Kaduna

Gunmen believed to be herdsmen have killed 11 people, and injured several others during attacks on three villages in Jema’a local government area of Kaduna state.

The villages are: Gida Biyu, Akwa’a and Anguwan Anjo,

A witness told The Cable that ‎the attackers also set houses ablaze.

He said six men and three women were killed in Gida Biyu and in Akwa’a, and two men killed in Angwan Anjo.

He said the assailants first struck around 6am on Monday, and the attack continued till Tuesday.

“A large number of Fulani herdsmen invaded Gida Biyu, 2 km from Godogodo around 6 am on Monday and started shooting and setting houses ablaze,” he said.

“People fled in different directions. However, the police were quick to arrive and the invaders fled into the bushes. Four people were killed that day. Today after combing the bushes five more corpses were found.

“When the killers escaped from Gida Biyu, they resurfaced at Akua’a this morning and killed two people. But they did not burn any house there. The police arrived on time again, and they ran away. But this afternoon they appeared at Agwan Anjo and started shooting.

“But by this time people have fled the village, and the police also arrived promptly. However, about an hour after when the police went to get some food in the town, the gun men launched another attack again.

“We believe that the motive of the attack is to displace us and take over our lands.‎ We are hoping that the military will join the police because we are sure that they will return, or even attack Godogodo town where our women and children are taking refuge. We need urgent help.”

When contacted, Aliyu Usman, spokesman of the state police command, said he did not have details of the attacks, but can confirm that the situation had been brought under control.