17 killed, 1 missing in fresh Kaduna killings

At least 16 persons have been reported killed in a fresh attack in the early hours of Sunday in Ungwan Barde in Kajuru Local Government of Kaduna State.

Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen had stormed the village in the early hours of Sunday, shooting anyone in sight and burning houses.

The Sunday morning attack was preceded by the killing of a man identified as Danbuzu Nemi who was reportedly killed on Saturday in his farm after voting on Saturday in the governorship and House of Assembly elections.

Trouble was said to have started when Nemi left for his farm shortly after voting on Saturday and did not return by evening of that day.

A source said when some members of the community noticed his absence, they decided to send a team of five persons to go and search for him.

The source said the team on their way met some armed men by a small stream who asked them to go back leading to an exchange between the two groups.

The source said, “As the five persons who were on bikes turned to go., they were given a hot chase by the armed men and in the process four escaped but one of them fell and has not been seen since yesterday. ”

The gunmen were said to have trailed the villagers to their community in Ungwan Barde and attacked the village Sunday morning killing 16 persons.

Jonah Luka Sarki, village head of Doka when contacted, said the remains of the first missing person has been found, but there is no trace of other person who he identified as Danlami.

He also said the area is however calm as there are security agents in the area.

The Kaduna State Government has confirmed the attack at Ungwan Barde community.

The government statement by Samuel Aruwan, media assistant to the Kaduna governor said the government is appealing for calm in the area and urging all communities to uphold peace.

He also disclosed that security operatives have been deployed to the community to curb further break down of law and order.