Terrorists in Kaduna State have attacked a church, killing three worshippers while abducting no fewer than 36.
A former Special Adviser on Media to the Governor of Kaduna State, Mr.Reuben Buhari, said the attack on Roboh village, Kajuru Local Government Area where 36 people were kidnapped and three killed was not the first attack.
According to him, “Attacks on rural communities by kidnappers have been going on without respite. Most go unannounced, unreported.
“The attack on Roboh village, Kajuru LGA, today, where 36 people were kidnapped and three killed was not the first attack. On January 5, 2022, it was attacked and some kidnapped. On April 27, 2020, the community was attacked again, and this time, some houses were burnt. Then, the attack of today, June 19, 2022.”
He said because of the constant attacks on the community and surrounding ones, “the people in the village decided to start holding church services early by 7am so that people can hurriedly go back to their homes. It was some few minutes after 7am today, while both the Catholic and Baptist churches were holding their services when the kidnappers attacked.
“I spoke to a man whose wife, mother and daughter were taken from the Baptist Church today. The anguish in his voice is something none of us should experience. The worrisome part of the insecurity is that most in Roboh have difficulties cultivating their farms. Moreover, because villages like BakinGada, Ungwan Pada, Maikori, Dogon Noma, that surround Roboh, have all been attacked at different times, people find it difficult to venture far to their farms.
“Now, this man and others would wait for when the kidnappers would call and ask for ransom. They would start borrowing, begging and selling anything to raise the ransom. After it is paid, the kidnappers would come again, kill; and again, kidnap,” hesaid.
Meanwhile, Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the attack, yesterday.
He said security agencies have reported to the Kaduna State Government that bandits attacked worshippers and locals at UngwanFada, UngwanTurawa and UngwanMakama in Rubu general area of KajuruLocal Government Area.
According to a statement issued by Aruwan, yesterday, the bandits stormed the villages on motorcycles, beginning from UngwanFada, and moving into UngwanTurawa, before UngwanMakama and then Rubu.
The statement read in part: “In Rubu village, the bandits attacked worshippers in the Maranatha Baptist Church and St. Moses Catholic Church.
“Three locals were confirmed killed in the attacks. They were identified as Peter Madaki (ward head of UngwanFada), Elisha Ezekiel (resident of UngwanFada) and Ali Zamani (youth leader of Rubu).
“Two persons were left injured in the attacks: one Aniro Mai, and a yet-unidentified woman. An unspecified number of locals were also kidnapped, according to the received reports.
“The bandits looted shops and carted away some valuables from the villages.
“The Acting Governor, Dr HadizaSabuwaBalarabe, expressed deep sadness, and condemned the attack in the strongest terms. She sent her sincere condolences to the families of the deceased victims, as she prayed for the repose of their souls.
“The acting governor also commiserated with the attacked churches, and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. Security patrols were being conducted in the general area as investigations proceed.”
He further said, “On a sad note, security agencies have reported to the Kaduna State Government that bandits attacked worshippers and locals at UngwanFada, UngwanTurawa and UngwanMakama in Rubu general area of KajuruLocal Government Area”.
When contacted, the Kaduna Command Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mohammad Jalige, confirmed the attack, yesterday.
He said the attackers stormed the churches while worshippers were in church.