– The southern Kaduna people have been subjected to sufferings in their own land
– This is due to the incessant killings by Fulani herdsmen in the area
– The area has been under siege from the rampaging herdsmen since last year
It all started on Saturday, December 24, 2016. In most villages of southern Kaduna, the people were in joyous mood being the eve of Christmas.
Around 5pm in the evening, suddenly gunshots rented the air, houses were in flames, and the people of southern Kaduna were surrounded.
People ran in different directions, adults, men, and women, children, aged, they all ran for their dear lives. At this point, nobody knew the plight of the other.
These attacks were going on simultaneously at different villages. Southern Kaduna was on fire; Pasakori, Mile One, Goska, Dangoma, Jagindi Gari, Dalle, Banawuje, Kariyo, Arusuwa, Nimbia Forest, Baya Gidan Waya, Kafanchan, Godogodo, Kagom, Akwa, Angwan Anjo, Gada Biya, Golkofa, Garin Hawa Andaha, Kibam. Nindem, Tafan, Ungwan Maicibi, Ungwan Ali, Manyin Kanjun, Sabon Gari, Kukum, Tafan Gida, Antang, Dogon Fili, Atuku Gada, Misisi, Tudun Wada, Korsha, Amere North, Ambam, Bakin Kogi, Pyakashi.
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A destroyed house in Tundun Wada
The above thirty communities were ravaged almost at the same time causing displacement of over two thousand people constituting mainly of helpless women and children.
There is an Internally Displaced Persons Camp (IDPs) located in Kafanchan. Living in an IDP camp is not what the people of southern Kaduna bargained for; they only have one song which is to go back to their farm.
Children, women, the aged and most especially the fathers and husbands of these women who normally shouldered the responsibilities of the family are seeking to go back home.
A young boy in deep thoughts in southern Kaduna
According to reports gathered by ZENITHBLOG.com, their farmlands have been ravaged by the Fulani Herdsmen with farm produce carted away, taken from barns and allegedly fed to the cattle.
The people of these communities are surprised by one thing though; since the attacks started, the Fulani herdsmen have been operating with AK-47 which according to the people, they have in abundance with enough bullet.
Six-year old Felix is one of the kids that lost his father to the clash, according to him, they were playing on the eve of Christmas when suddenly there were gunshots everywhere in Goska village.
“I heard gunshots, I saw houses on fire and I started running with my younger brothers, our mum too was running; we went and hide at the primary school.
“When everything calmed down, we came back, but my father was dead, he was shot by the Fulanis. Right now my mum is with the other women. I am scared the Fulanis will come back,” Felix said.
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Six-year old Felix is one of the kids who lost their fathers in the crisis
Pius Boki, the Dagashi (community leader) of Goska, a seventy year old man while recounting his ordeal said: “I just noticed that my people have been surrounded on the 24th of December 2016. In my own household no one is left except me. Everybody has run away.
“In the entire Goska community, only a few people are left. I am here because I have vowed to protect my people and their land in any way I can since I am the head there is nowhere I can run to.”
Binta Tagwai lost her husband and her 20-year old son. Binta’s plight is how to take care of the remaining five children since her late husband was the one supporting her in the farm. She will have to pay school fees for the children; average of five thousand naira each. She cannot go to the farm, it is dangerous, it is a death trap and she has to feed, clothe and pay school fees of her wards.
She said in tears: “I am helpless, I didn’t see this coming. My oldest son is dead, my husband is dead. They were all killed in Fulani Herds men crisis. How would I cater for the remaining five children?”
Binta Tagwai lost her husband and her 20-year old son
Gaji Ankpor JP, the District Head of Kagoro recounted an incident of armed robbery attack on October 4, 2016.
According to Gaji, two Fulanis were killed in the attack and as it is their custom, they had sent two people to condole the Fulani community. It was during the consolation visit that the Fulanis had mentioned how they will retaliate and avenge the death of their people.
Gaji said: “We didn’t take the threat seriously until December 24 when we had villages razed including my own district. My take is this, there are people funding the Fulanis, I am begging these people to stop equipping them with sophisticated weapons so we can have peace and go back to our farmland,” he pleaded.
READ ALSO: Southern Kaduna boy hopes to use his locally produced toy gun to scare herdsmen away (photo, video)
The people of Southern Kaduna are of the strong opinion that the Fulanis cannot wield such weapons without the help of the government. They are suspecting the government of Kaduna state of having preference for the Fulani community.
They sighted a tweet by the governor of Kaduna state Mallam Nasir El- Rufa’i which read thus: “We will write this for all to read, anyone, soldier or not that kills the Fulani takes a loan repayable one day no matter how long it takes.” This was tweeted 15th July 2012.
The question now is could this be a reprisal attack? Could it be that the government of the day in Kaduna state is aiding the attacks? What is the way out for Southern Kaduna to acquire peace? All these questions need urgent answers.
The people are saying they do not have trust in the army and police personnel deployed to the area, adding that the security agencies do nothing to protect them.
The national secretary of Myetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) Othman Ngelzarma said the attacks are condemnable irrespective of what must have led to it.
MACBAN spokesman, Othman Ngelzarma
He opined that the crisis stemmed from little misunderstandings between the two communities.
According to him, the little problems were allowed to escalate to what we have today. He said Miyyetti Allah as a body is often time surprised based on the information they get from southern Kaduna.
His words: “These communities have been staying together, having intermarriages. Surprisingly, enemity has set in. It is surprising.”
Othman claims both the cattle bearers and the farmers own the land as they have all occupied the land for a very long time.
“The Fulanis did not know when the farmers came to settle at the place likewise did the farmers knew when the Fulanis came. They are all legitimate owners of the land, the pastorals predominantly Muslims and farmers predominantly Christians,” he pointed out.
READ ALSO: IGP orders deployment of police special forces to Southern Kaduna
He said this is the reason people why people give the crisis religion coloration not minding the fact that, it all stemmed from economic clashes or farm disputes.
One of the displaced kids in southern Kaduna
He emphasized the lack of patience on both sides as the reason why the crisis has continued.
On the way forward and proffering a solution, he said the time of proper communication should be revisited.
He said: “The people had an understanding ,before they lived happily, that time should be revisited.”
Othman however warned that, a lot of times, criminal come in the night, to attack the natives, making it appear the Fulanis did and in retaliating, the natives also provoke the Fulanis and the cycle continues.
He warned that proper investigation be carried out and dialogue be welcome in proffering lasting solution to the crisis in southern Kaduna.
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