At least 387 people were killed in communal violence among Atyap, Fulani, Chawai, Irigwe and Hausa communities in Kauru and Zangon Kataf local government areas of Kaduna State in the last two years.
Governor Nasir El-Rufai disclosed this on Wednesday during an emergency security meeting with traditional rulers, religious and community leaders from the areas at the palace of Agwatyap, A̠tak Njei, in Zangon Kataf local government area.
He said, “In 2020, 114 citizens were killed in Zangon Kataf and 28 in Kauru, and in 2021, 186 were killed in Zangon Kataf and 59 in Kauru and if you put the figures, we lost 387 people in these two councils.
“In 2021, 100 citizens incurred gunshot injuries in the two councils, 77 in Zangon Kataf and 23 in Kauru.We are here on behalf of the Governor following the renewed killings in Kauru and Zangon Kataf local government areas.”
The governor, represented by the Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, urged the communities in Kauru and Zangon Kataf local government areas to maintain recourse to the law and avoid generalisations which keep complicating security situations in the two LGAs.
“We are reiterating our appeal for recourse to the law and avoidance of generalizations. These killings and counter killings are unjustifiable.
The governor said, “…houses and settlements burnt, farms destroyed, cattle killed and collapse of the rural economy affecting all the communities.
“We must rise to the occasion and put a stop to all these challenges, arising from the behavior of a few elements on all sides. Let us reason together and avert this needless bloodshed.”
In their separate remarks, the Agwatyap, Sir Dominic Gambo Yahaya, and Res-Tsam (Chief of Chawai), Alhaji Yahaya Mohammed, corroborated calls for peace and pledged their commitment to support security forces in their moves for sustainable peace and development.
The Commander, Sector 7 of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Col. Tony Opurum, expressed concern over the incessant killings and lawlessness being experienced.
