A member of the House of Representatives, Shehu Garba, on Monday, raised the alarm over the renewed massacre of innocent persons in Southern Kaduna communities.
Mr. Garba, who represents Jema’a/Sanga Federal Constituency, said between Friday and Sunday, unknown gunmen have murdered 10 persons in his constituency.
He named the communities affected by the attacks as Nindem in Godogodo Chiefdom and Ungwan Mailafyia in Gwong Chiefdom.
“It was with deep shock and concern that I received the news of the attack on Nindem Village in Godogodo Chiefdom at about 10 pm on Friday, December 22,” the lawmaker said in a statement.
“In the attack, four persons were killed and 10 others were critically injured. The dead were buried the next day under the watch of the security personnel.
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“The wounded are currently being attended to at the Throneroom Hospital in Kafanchan while other severe cases have been referred to JUTH in Jos.
“While we were mourning the deaths at Nindem, at about 10 pm on Christmas Eve, security personnel received distress calls of another attack at Ungwan Mailafiya in Kwagiri District of Gwong Chiefdom.
“By daybreak on Christmas day, 6 persons have been confirmed killed including a child of about six years old and many others injured.
These attacks, coming on the eve of Christmas festivities, are reminiscent of the sad attack at Goska on the eve of last year’s Christmas celebration.”
Mr, Garba said the recent attacks defied logic as was no immediate cause, adding that the attackers have shown total contempt for the solemnity of the season of the birth of Jesus, which is revered by Christians all over the world.
Continuing, he said, “We had thought that the relative peace which had been witnessed over the past months, arising from efforts of well-meaning individuals and bodies, was going to translate into a permanent peace which our people desperately desire.
“Unfortunately, it appears that some persons or group are bent on perpetuating violence and turning our hitherto peaceful communities into a theatre of war for reasons not yet clear to all peace-loving people.
“As a representative of these communities and a human being, these incidents are painful and stand totally condemned,” the lawmaker lamented.
In spite of the attacks, he said the affected communities will continue to promote the virtues of peace and harmonious co-existence and appealed to .security agencies to investigate, apprehend and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
He also called on the Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to ensure the latest incidents do not go the way of previous attacks where the perpetrators were never apprehended.
Mr. Garba argued that the lack of action by the government during previous incidents might have emboldened them to launch the fresh attacks on his constituents.
He, however, called on the government to join well-meaning people of the area to assist victims of the crisis since it has failed to safeguard the lives and safety of the affected people.
He said, “Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the dead and injured at this very difficult time.
“I urge the affected communities to remain calm and avoid embarking on any form of violent reaction while expecting the Security personnel to act.
“It is important to stress that while we continue with the celebration of the festive season, let us remain very vigilant and be ready to report any suspicious activities or movements to the security agencies,” Mr. Garba said.
