Terrorism: More killings in Southern Kaduna, 11 dead, 30 houses burnt down

No fewer than 11 persons have been confirmed killed by gunmen believed to be terrorists, in attack on Kurmin Masara area of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area, in southern part of Kaduna State.

Several others were said to have been left with bullet wounds when gunmen launched an unprovoked attack on Kurmin Masara and Zaman Dabo villages, in the early hours of Sunday.

Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, who confirmed the attack on Sunday, revealed identities of the eleven villagers killed in the attack.

“As of 4:30PM, eleven residents were confirmed killed, and some inflicted with gunshot injuries.

“The victims confirmed killed are listed as follows: Elizabeth Ayuba, Veronica Auta, Bege Daniel, Kephas Waje, Promise Jacob, Damaris istifanus, Hauwa Joshua, Dogara Gambo, Lidia Ishaya, Michael Achi and Gabriel Michael.

“Over thirty houses and properties were burnt in the attack.

“The injured were evacuated for treatment. Search-and-rescue operations and pursuit of the attackers are in progress on different fronts.

“The Government of Kaduna State will make public further details as soon as they are received from security forces,” Aruwan stated in a statement.

READ: Gunmen attack Catholic seminary in Kaduna, abduct students

The Nation, quoting a villager, reports that the attackers stormed the community around 3am and raided house to house unleashing mayhem.

The villager said: “As l am talking to you, we are yet to ascertain the actual number of those killed and those injured by the attackers until we go round the community that is when we will know who and who is around and those actually killed but so far, I can confirm about 16 dead bodies.

“During the attack I find somewhere to hide myself, I tried calling the security but there was no response.

“A small boy of about 5-6 years was shot during the attack and was being taken to the base to take permission to take the boy to the hospital.

“On their way, they shot the two women with the boy and the other two women behind ran and hid themselves. From Zamaru Kataf to Bakin Kogi, once it is 6:30pm no vehicle can pass there.

“This early morning (Sunday), when we discovered the people killed at Kurmin Masara and Zaman Dabo and almost 40 houses where burnt, most of those killed were burnt in their houses as the people were fast asleep as at the time the gunmen came to the community,” he explained. “People’s houses, properties and food stuffs that were burnt to ashes is unquantifiable presently, we pray this continued attack and killings will come to an end because innocent people are just being killed with reckless abandon,” he said.