The village falls under Kaura Local Government Council in the southern part of Kaduna State.
Chairman of Kaura LGC, Mrs. Florence Aya, who confirmed this to Vanguard at the scene of the attack, yesterday, while commiserating with the families victims, said the violence was a huge set back to the peace and reconciliation efforts she and the state government had initiated to bring back normalcy to the area.
The village Head of Kukum Gida, Mr. Jonah Bayina, narrated to Vanguard what happened: “It was around midnight. The moon was very bright. The dogs of Musa Bilak (62) were wildly barking. This made him to come out. His wife, Kumana (52) was behind him. Bilak has nine children with his wife. As they turn to check the rear of the House loud sound of gunshots rang over the place.
“Monday Yayok (30), head of our village vigilante was just getting ready to start checking on his members at their various posts. His house is just about 20 metres from Bilak’s. He jumped out and stated blowing a whistle to alert the village after he heard the gunshots. Then another round of shots rang out. The whistling went silent. But the rest vigilante started blowing theirs. Everyone was woken. When we reached the place. We found Bilak lying in his blood, panting for help. His wife was dead. Yayok was also lying and bleeding.
“Some people started chasing the attackers, who we believe are Fulani who were once our neighbours. The dead and the wounded have been taken to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH). We did not arrest any of them. I was informed that only two people were seen. All had guns.”
Fielding questions from Vanguard, Aya said: “I have called the Governor (Sir Patrick Yakowa) to inform him of what has happened and he was very sad and worried. I am going to call him to inform him what I have seen.
“This is a very big set back to the peace and reconciliation effort the governor and I have been making to see that everyone returns to his place of abode.”
We have visited the Fulani at their refuge camps, and we heard their grievances. We have spoken to all affected communities and they said the Fulani can return, long as they don’t pose a problem to anyone. I have just collated astatistics of those who lost their homes, with the aim of extending assistance to them to rebuild their homes But this is a very unfortunate development. The peace process has suffered a huge setback”, she said.
By Luka Binniyat
Vanguard Nigeria
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