40 killed in Kaduna herdsmen attack

Fulani herdsmen

A farmers’ organisation in Kaduna said on Monday that 40 people were killed in attacks believed to have been carried out by Fulani herdsmen over the weekend.

President of the Southern Kaduna Peoples’ Union (SOKAPU), Solomon Musa, said that some of the victims had been burned beyond recognition in attacks on Saturday and Sunday in Godogodo town, located in Kaduna State.

“Godogodo town, once again, came under an unprovoked attack by Fulani herdsmen from Saturday, October 15, 2016 to Sunday, October 16. This is despite the frantic calls for help from the villagers on those constitutionally saddled with the task of safeguarding Nigerian citizens,” he said.

Musa said, “The herdsmen wreaked maximum havoc by killing our people. So far, the people of the town have been able to identify not less than 40 corpses aside from the several other corpses burnt beyond recognition. Virtually, all the houses in the town have been burnt.

Kaduna Deputy Governor, Barnabas Bala, called the violence “unjustifiable” and said authorities were looking to restore calm in the area, where a 24-hour curfew has been imposed.

He said, “This type of attack is unjustifiable and unacceptable. Every effort is being made to restore peace to the area. We strongly appeal for support as security agencies work round the clock to make the affected area safe.”