The Atakad Community Development Association, ACDA, yesterday cried out that Fulani militia have taken over 16 Atakad villages and killed about 180 persons, with 10,000 forced to become refugees since the violence started in 2013.
This alarm was raised by the National President of ACDA, Mr. Ishaya Kunden in Manchok, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State during the burial ceremony of the assassinated District Head of Zangang in Atakad Chiefdom, near Manchok. Mr. Yohanna Shinkut.
Kunden, said the world was not interested in their plight, even when, according to him, they formed part of the most traumatized human society.
The district head was said to have been ambushed and shot dead in his car near his Zangang home around 8p.m. last Saturday, by suspected Fulani gunmen.
Kuden said: “Since these invasions and killings of our people started on March 23, 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 behind.
“The world has forgotten about us, as if we are not human beings and as if are we not part of the most injured in human society. 10,000 Atakad natives are now homeless and are wondering from relations to churches and anywhere else they can get assistance.
“The state government has done very little to help. Only the Churches and some non-governmental organizations are coming in with relief materials for victims still hanging around.
“All our children are out of school. Men cannot go back to their farms. It is horrible. All we are asking is for more soldiers and a few things to defend ourselves. We can return if we get that assistance.”
Speaking at the burial, the overall Chief of Atakad Chiefdom, Chief Tobias Wada said: “The people of Southern Kaduna must be united to fight this dangerous trend.
“They want to take over our hills and use it as a launch pad to invade 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 the innocent keep on repeating itself.
“I call on our brothers in Ganawuri, who are accommodating the Fulani in their lands, to see reasons to negotiate with us and the Fulani.”
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