66 People Killed In Kaduna On Presidential Election Eve

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state on Friday confirmed the killing of 66 persons in Kajuru Local Government Area by unknown gunmen on the eve of the presidential election.

Among the victims were 22 children and 12 women, while four wounded persons were rescued alive.

The time of the massacres and the incident leading to them were, however, not explained in the release.

The governor, in the statement by Samuel Aruwan, his Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity, regretted the development and vowed that those responsible for the massacres will be brought to justice.

“Security agencies today reported the recovery of 66 bodies that were killed in attacks by criminal elements on various dispersed hamlets in the Maro Gida and Iri axis of Kajuru LGA. The settlements affected include Ruga Bahago, Ruga Daku, Ruga Ori, Ruga Haruna, Ruga Yukka Abubakar, Ruga Duni Kadiri, Ruga Shewuka, and Ruga Shuaibu Yau.

“Among the victims were 22 children and 12 women. Four wounded persons rescued by the security agencies are now receiving medical attention.

“Government condemns the attacks and commiserates with the families of the victims. Security agencies have been deployed to the area and arrests have been made. The government urges community, traditional and religious leaders in the area to encourage residents to avoid any reprisal attacks and to leave the matter in the hands of the security and law enforcement agencies. The killings are being investigated and residents are assured that indicted persons will be prosecuted.

“Residents of Kaduna State are enjoined to uphold peace and harmony, shun violence and allow the elections to be held in an atmosphere of calm. Any suspicious activity should be reported to the security agencies in person or through the following lines: 09034000060 and 08170189999.”