Herdsmen Attack Military Outpost, Kill 20 in Kaduna

By John Shiklam in Kaduna

Gunmen in their hundreds,  believed to be Fulani herdsmen, at the weekend invaded Godogodo and neighbouring villages in Jama’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State killing 20 people.

Several others were said to have sustained injuries from gunshots and machete cuts.

The bandits were said to have embarked on the onslaught after attacking a military outpost in Godogodo area where many of the villagers were killed after which other some neighbouring villages were raided  and  several houses burnt.

The incident led to the declaration of a 24-hour curfew by the  interim management committee of Jama’a Local Government Area declared  following tension

Chairman of the interim management committee, Dr Humble Katuka, who imposed the curfew  directed residents to remain indoors pending when the situation is brought under control.

An eyewitness said the attacks started at about 9p.m. last Saturday and lasted till the early hours of yesterday leading to killings and burning of houses.

Those who tried to escaped were said to have been  shot or cut down with machete.

A community leader in the area said many villages have been sacked following the frequent attacks and killings by the herdsmen.

The community leader who spoke on condition of anonymity said: “People have abandoned their homes to other safer zones, our farm have been over  run by herdsmen. We no longer go to farm again because that is suicidal.

“The government needs to take concrete steps to stop these attacks. These people are well armed; they have sophisticated weapons and we are at the their mercy.”

Confirming the incident, the spokesman of the Kaduna State Police Command,  Aliyu Usman, said  there had been an invasion of Godogodo by some hoodlums.

He also confirmed  that some parts of the town was burnt down, saying however that he was not in a position to confirm the casualty figure.

“As I speak, the state Police Commissioner has ordered the deployment of more units of anti-riot policemen and conventional police to the town. They should have arrived there by now.

“Last Friday, same armed men ambushed our  men around Godogodo, killed two officers and fled. We shall surely get them soon,” Usman  promised.