45 Feared Killed in Attacks on Nasarawa Communities as Kaduna Death Toll Reaches 40

Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia and John Shiklam in Kaduna

At least, 45 people were reportedly feared killed in sustained attacks carried out by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen on some communities in Nasarawa State.

In another development, the death toll from the attacks on communities in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, has reportedly risen to 40, following the discovery of two corpses in the bushes by security operatives.

Report had it that the gunmen invaded Chabo, Daa, Wuchi, Tse-Udugh, Hagher and Shankodi in largely Tiv communities of Obi, Awe and Lafia Local Government Areas of Nasarswa State.

It was further gathered that the said attackers allegedly carried out the attacks in reprisal to avenge the killing of their own, one Idris Umaru, whose dead body was found in the area.

Investigation revealed that the attackers had a field day beginning from Saturday, as they went from one village to another till Sunday night, killing over 45 people and unchallenged by security forces.

Beside the number of persons killed, several others had escaped with various degrees of gunshot wounds, while some of them were taken to the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital in Lafia for treatment, as others languished in the bush.

The Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahhi Sule, while condemning the attack, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Addra, said government was doing everything possible to forestall further breach of the peace.

“What is much troubling is that in spite of our untiring efforts that have kept us on our toes before and through the weekend, there is needles loss of lives of our citizens.

“Such act of violence is most unfortunate, condemnable, unacceptable and will not be condoned by this administration. Let me, at this point, condole with the families, who lost their members and properties. As an adminstration, we will do everything possible to get to the bottom of this to forestall any further security breach.”

While promising quick return of the displaced persons to their communities, Sule said government would send relief materials in a shot time to cushion their hardship.

A survivor of the attack, Adugh Ortoho, told THISDAY that the attackers came in their numbers, carrying AK 47 riffles and machetes and shot anyone at sight.

He said: “We woke up Sunday and getting ready for the business of the day, suddenly we heard gunshots in all angles in our village. As I speak, many people have been killed, others ran to the bush with bullet wounds.

President, Tiv Development Association (TIDA), Comrade Peter Ahemba, in a telephone interview, said over 20 dead bodies have so far been recovered from the scenes of the attacks.

He said although calm had return to the affected communities, the governor had directed the deployment of security personnel to stop further attacks in the areas.

“So far 20 corpses have been recovered from the affected villages, but many more people are still missing as I speak we don’t know whether the missing persons are alive or dead. It’s a very terrible situation. More corpses are still being recovered,” he said.

But the Nasarswa State police command, in a statement by its Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Nansel Ramhan, confirmed that the attack was a reprisal to avenge the killing of Umaru, who was allegedly attacked and killed by unidentified person.

He said Umaru’s corpse was recovered and taken for autopsy while investigation was ongoing to track down the perpetrators.

“While investigation was ongoing on the attacks, the following persons namely: Sani Dauda, Danjuma Liambee, Uloho Jery Shedrack, Kente, Boniface John, Tersoo Clement, Gwanje Soja and Ayuba Ali, were attacked and killed, while their corpses had been recovered and taken to the hospital by police,” he said].

However, in Kaduna, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, while giving an update on the incident, said two more corpses were recovered by security personnel carrying out search operations.

“Security agencies carrying out search operations in Giwa LGA have reported to the Kaduna State Government the discovery of two additional bodies following weekend’s attack in some villages in the area.

“It would be recalled that Kauran Fawa, Marke and Riheya villages in Idasu, Giwa LGA were attacked by armed bandits, with 38 people confirmed dead as at yesterday.

“The latest discovery of two more bodies brings the death toll from the attack to 40. Further details will be published as they are confirmed,” he said.