‘Even children were killed’ — el-Rufai condemns latest attack

Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state says nine persons, including children, were killed in the attack on Nandu village in Sanga local government area on Saturday.

He spoke in a statement which Samuel Aruwan, his spokesman, issued on his behalf.

The culprits, suspected to be herdsmen, were said to have also set at least 30 houses on fire.

According to the statement, security agencies have been deployed in the area while relief materials sent to the victims.

The governor condemned the attack while urging the people to embrace peace and imbibe tolerance.

He called on traditional and religious institutions to help the government in avoiding a repeat of the incident.

“The Kaduna State Government has been briefed by the security agencies on the killing of nine persons by criminal elements who attacked Nandu village in Sanga LGA in the early hours of today,” the statement read.

“The security agencies have so far recovered nine corpses, including children. The attackers also burnt several houses in the village. The government condemns this attack on the life and security of citizens and appeals to our communities to resist those who do not want peace.

“The governor, on behalf of the government and people of Kaduna State, commiserates with the families of the victims and prays for the repose of their souls.

“Government, security agencies, traditional and religious institutions will continue to work towards sustainable peace. In this moment of grief, we must come together to defeat the machinations of those who have no notion of respect for the lives of others.

“Violence has left an unacceptable toll of death and injury, loss of livelihoods, pain and fear. We must overcome this by respecting our common humanity, settling differences peacefully and promptly reporting threats and suspicions to the appropriate authorities. Evil will never triumph over our common humanity.

“Security agencies have been deployed in the area, and the State Emergency Management Agency has been directed to immediately provide relief materials to the affected community.”