Rumour Mongering Responsible for Southern Kaduna Killings

By John Shiklam in Kaduna

Interim Chairmen in the crisis-ridden Jema’a and Kauru local government areas of Kaduna State said on Thursday that rumour-peddling among the people was responsible for renewed killings in the area.

Addressing a news conference in Kaduna, they maintained that their communities were peaceful until 26th May, 2016 when the rumoured killing of one Ango Bali plunged the area into the present situation.

Chairman of Jema’a Local Government, Hon. Bege Katuka, who spoke on behalf of his Kauru local government counterpart , said Godogodo Chiefdom which was ravaged by attacks and killings by herdsmen was the most peaceful area in Southern Kaduna until the rumoured killing of one Ango Bali on May 26, 2016, led to a mob action against a Fulani settlement where a Fulani leader was killed.

“Our people acted on unconfirmed information that Fulani herdsmen had attacked and killed Bali. But the said Bali is walking alive today. If our people had verified and discovered that the man was not killed as peddled, we would not have been where we are today.

“Instead of verifying, our people went straight to Fulani settlement, unleashed terror on them, killed one of their leaders and set ablaze about 60 huts. So, this is what brought us to where we are today with its ripple effect, which has now escalated to so many communities. It has led to vengeance and reprisals,” he said.