Not less than 11 persons were confirmed killed just as several others sustained bullet wounds with many burnt houses when unidentified gunmen launched deadly attack on two communities of Kurmin Masara and Zaman Dabo villages in Zangon Kataf local government area of Kaduna state, in the early hours of Sunday.
Kaduna state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan confirmed the attack Sunday evening.
Sources from the troubled area however said when the areas, Kurmin Masara and Zaman Dabo villages, came under attack in the early hours of Sunday by gunmen, 16 people were killed as they set almost 40 houses ablaze.
A villager, who was an eye witness but prefers anonymity, said the attackers stormed the community around 3am and raided their victims house to house unleashing mayhem on innocent people.
According to the eye witness: “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 sixteen 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 hide 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.
“Peoples’ houses, properties and food stuffs that were burnt to ashes are 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 prayed.
Meanwhile, the state’s Internal Security Commissioner said in a statement that, “Security forces have reported to the Kaduna State Government that Kurmin Masara general area of Zangon Kataf LGA was attacked in the early hours of today.
“According to the reports, troops of the Nigerian Air Force Special Forces who responded to distress calls from the area also fell into an ambush as they mobilized to the scene of the attack.
“The troops cleared the ambush and reached the general area, along with troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH).
“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.
“Governor Nasir El-Rufa’i, who has been in touch with the security forces and is receiving hourly briefings, expressed sadness at this report of the latest in a series of attacks in the area.
“He prayed for the repose of all those killed and conveyed his condolences to their families. He further wished the injured a speedy recovery,” Aruwan said.
