The Atakad Community Development Association (ACDA) in Kaura Local
Government Area of Kaduna State, disclosed yesterday that Fulani militia
had captured 16 Atakad villages and killed at least 180 of their
people.
The group also said over 5,000 people from the area had become
internally displaced persons (IDPs) since the violence started in 2013.
Speaking during the burial ceremony of the assassinated district head
of Zangang in Atakad Chiefdom, Mr. Yohanna Daniel Shinkut, by Fulani
militias, President of ACDA, Mr. Ishaya Kunden, said the frequent
attacks on the people by Fulani gunmen had destabilised the community
and traumatised the people.
Kunden said: “Since these invasions and killings of our people started
on March 24, 2013, we have lost 16 villages to Fulani invaders.
“At the last count,180 people have been killed, right now, Fulani men
are fully settled with their cattle and families, in Mayit, Agwom, Zakai
Gira, Tunga Magwot, Telak, Zakum and Kirim.
“Go there and see them. Their cattle are grazing on everything we left be behind.
The world has forgotten about us as if we are not human. As if we not part of the most injured in human society. 10,000 Atakad are now homeless and are wandering from relations to churches and anywhere they can get assistance.”
The world has forgotten about us as if we are not human. As if we not part of the most injured in human society. 10,000 Atakad are now homeless and are wandering from relations to churches and anywhere they can get assistance.”
Kunden accused the state government of not doing much to tackle the challenges facing the Atakad people.
According to him, “The state government has done very little to help,”
adding: “Only the churches and some NGOs are coming in with relief
materials to victims still hanging around.
He stated that: “All our children are out of schools. Men cannot go
back to their farms. It is horrible. All we are asking is more soldiers
and a few things to defend ourselves. We can return if we get that
assistance.”
Also speaking at the burial of the late chief, the overall Chief of
Atakad Chiefdom, Chief Tobias Nkom Wada called on the Southern Kaduna
people to unite and fight the dangerous trend.
“They want to take over our hills and use it as a launch pad to invade
the entire Southern Kaduna. That is why they are killing our people in
Sanga and chasing them from the hills. Southern Kaduna people and those
governing us cannot afford to see these series of murder of innocent
people continue.
“I call on our brothers in Ganawuri, who the Fulani are accommodating
in their lands to see reasons to negotiate with us and the Fulani,” he
said.
The burial was attended by prominent traditional rulers from Southern
Kaduna, the clergy and a broad segment of Atakad and Maroa communities
amidst heavy security mounted by the Nigeria police and the military.

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