It was a bleak Easter for residents of Asso Community in Jemaa Local Government Area of Kaduna state, as about 12 people have been reported dead and others injured, following an attack by unidentified gunmen who stormed the village on a shooting spree.
The latest attack is coming few months after relative peace had gradually been returning to all troubled communities in the southern part of the state.
An indigene of the area told Channels Television that the incident occurred at about 6:00 pm on Saturday, after a peace and reconciliation meeting between locals and fulani people aimed at finding lasting peace in the area was held.
He said the 12 persons died of bullet wounds when the attackers stormed the village and opened fire on innocent residents who were preparing for the Easter celebration.
Also according to him, the three injured persons had been rushed to the Kafanchan General Hospital for treatment.
The spokesman for the Kaduna State Police Command, Aliyu Usman, who confirmed the incident, however stated that he was yet to get details of the number of casualties.
He also noted that more security operatives have been deployed to the community for a manhunt of the attackers also to forestall any further break down of law and order
Meanwhile, the state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has condemned the attack, describing it as inhuman and callous.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Samuel Aruwan, the governor condoled with the victims and their families, while affirming that security operations are being ramped to rid the forest areas of the bandits.
Governor El-rufai also announced that a new security measure code named ‘Operation Harbin Kunama (II)’, would soon launched to help the Army deal with persons responsible for the attacks.
He, however, urged security agencies to double their efforts in fishing out those behind the killings, and to act promptly on carefully vetted intelligence.
