Weekend Attacks Claim Seven Lives In Godogodo Chiefdom

From Julius B Kezi, Kaduna
Multiple attacks over the weekend left no fewer than seven people dead in Godogodo Chiefdom, Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The attacks, suspected to be launched by armed Fulani herdsmen were carried out in broad daylight and at night.
A resident of Godogodo town, Yakubu Gambo, who spoke with The Dream Daily said although two of the attacks were successfully repelled on Saturday by security operatives and youths, five persons ran out of luck as they were ambushed and killed by the attackers.
Also two members of a family were killed at Dogon fili Village in the early hours of Monday, when the attackers invaded the village.
A resident who sought anonymity for security reasons said those killed were a father, Iliya Manja (80) and his son, Istifanus Iliya (40), while the wife left with several injuries sustained from gunshots.
He said those killed were farmers that have had disputes with herdsmen over destruction of crops in the recent past.
Commenting on the development, the Chief of Godogodo, Mallam Iliya Ajiya, called on government to take decisive steps to addressing the incessant attacks in the chiefdom.
The royal father lamented that lives and property worth millions of naira were lost on a daily basis and appealed to especially youths to eschew bitterness and embrace dialogue and peaceful co-existence.
Chairman of the interim council of Jemaa Local Government, Dr Bege Katuka, while confirming the incident, renewed his call to members of the affected communities to embrace peace, to be vigilant and report suspected persons to security agencies.
It will be recalled that crisis in Godogodo Chiefdom began at Ninte on May 26, 2016 and has been lingering and spreading by the day. Dialogue moves have been initiated by non-governmental civil societies, especially Community Peace Partnership, D.P.I and NSRP to end hostilities are yet to yield positive result. Villages of Ninte, Akwa’a, Ung. Anjo, Golkofa, Gada Biu and now Godogodo have been abandoned, with herdsmen occupying some of these villages.