By Luka Binniyat
MANCHOK—The Atakad Community Development Association, ACDA, yesterday, said Fulani militia have captured 16 Atakad villages and killed no fewer than 180 persons, with 10,000 forced to become refugees since the violence
started in 2013.
*Some displaced persons moving to new locations
Speaking at Manchok, Kaura Local Government Area, Kaduna State, during the burial ceremony of the assassinated District Head of Zangang in Atakad Chiefdom, near Manchok, Mr. Yohanna Shinkut, the National President, ACDA, Mr. Ishaya Kunden, said the world was not interested in their plight, even when, according to him, they formed part of the most traumatized of human society.
Shinkut was said to have been ambushed and shot dead in his car near his Zangan home around 8p.m., last Saturday, by suspected Fulani gunmen.
Most of Atakad land is located on the lush green hills and valleys of the lengthy Kagoro range of the highland in Kaura council of Kaduna State. It is about 250km South of Kaduna metropolis.
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.
Taken over
“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.”
The overall Chief of Atakad Chiefdom, Chief Tobias Wada, in his remarks at the Baptist Church Manchok, venue of the burial service, said: “The people of Southern Kaduna must be united to fight this dangerous trend.
‘Their goal’
“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 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.”
The burial was attended by prominent traditional rulers from Southern Kaduna, the clergy and a broad segment of Atakad and Maroa communities amidst heavy security mounted by the Nigeria police and the military.
Foiled attack
A security source said there was an attempt, Monday night, by Fulani militia to dislodge the military stationed on the border between Plateau and Kaduna states, from where the invaders usually sneaked into Kaduna State.
The source said: “There was exchange of gunfire between our men and some marauders from Ganawuri, Plateaus State border that lasted till this morning.
“We repelled them, and there was no casualty from any side. Had they succeeded, this burial ceremony may not have held.”
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