Atyap Community Development Association (ACDA) says a total of 42 persons were killed, 7 wounded and 338 houses razed in the latest attacks on several of its communities in Zangon Kataf local government area of Kaduna State.
The Association stated this Saturday, while briefing journalists in Kaduna, adding that 8 cars, 13 motorcycles, as well as generators, food and domestic items were either looted or razed during the “onslaught” on the Atyap Chiefdom.
President of the Association, Samuel T. Achie, who addressed the journalists called on Kaduna State Government to without fear or favour put an end to the “condemnable killings” of its people by fishing out and bringing perpetrators of the act to justice.
Achie said, until the latest attacks, the Atyap and Fulani people had signed a peace treaty which was respected by all, hence, finding it difficult to unravel the provocations that have sent scores to their early graves and property worth millions of naira destroyed.
“In all the attacks in the 12 different villages as of July 15, 2021, a total of 42 people were killed and 338 houses burnt with 7 people wounded. Several other valuables were not left out as 8 Cars, 13 motorcycles, generators, food and domestic items were either looted or consumed by fire
“Our revered places of worship were not spared as 7 churches and their pastorium razed down by fire in various locations.
“Among the houses razed down by the activities If these Fulani Militia are the family compound of our paramount Ruler, His Royal Highness Sir Dominic Yahaya in Magamiya and also the Family Compound of Retired Major General Shekari Biliyock in Abuyab a former commandant of the Nigeria-African Peace Keeping Arm, the ECOMOG.
“The entire Atyap Nation seems to be at loss to these senseless killings by the Fulani Militia, as we have bend over to implement the decisions of the peace accord reached with the parties involved.
“The entire Atyap Nation seems to be at loss to these senseless killings by the Fulani Militia, as we have bend over to implement the decisions of the peace accord reached with the parties involved.
“The question is what else were we supposed to do that was not done? It seems apparent that these attacks are being sponsored with larger motives than meet the eyes.
“With all these being said, in concrete terms we can submit that the resolution of our desire for peace is under threat by this Fulani Militia. We felt that we will be better off if we stay in peace as brothers as was the case in time past.
“It is a well-known fact world over that all crises are not won at the battlefield, but at the round table through discussions that could lead to amicable resolution of the crisis with the parties determined to bring an end to it.
“The Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria once said that anybody found in possession of deadly arm be shot at sight. But as I am talking to you, Fulani Militias still graze in Atyap land with AK47 hung on their shoulders and shot at any sight of a Kataf man.
“There is no any place in all the areas attacked that has a distance of more than 10 to 15 minutes drive from one security checkpoint to the other. It is not only lives and houses that were destroyed, but crops and places of worship inclusive.
