By Stefan J. Bos, Special Correspondent Worthy News
(Worthy News) - Christians in northwest Nigeria have plunged into mourning after at least 10 people were killed and 11 seriously injured in a massive attack by suspected Muslim militants, rights activists say.
Details of the July 24 attack on the town of Zikpak in Nigeria’s southern Kaduna state were confirmed to Worthy News by advocacy group Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).
“Armed assailants of Fulani extraction” attacked Zikpak, the seat of the Fanstwam Chiefdom in the state’s Jema'a Local Government Area (LGA), according to CSW investigators.
Victims included a pastor, Reverend Kuyet Shamh Ishaya, 25, who had recently graduated from the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Theological Seminary and was soon to be married, Christians said.
Others were named as Cecilia Audu, 65, Joel Cephas, 5, Madam Dakaci, 52, Matina Dauda 70, Yanasan Dauda, 70, Luka Garba, 75, Victor Ishaya, 22, Katung Kantionk, 60, and 28-year-old Kingsley Raphealand.
CHURCH ATTACK
The attackers also attempted to burn down the local ECWA Church building, but rain extinguished the flames, CSW added in a statement. Six of the injured survivors are reportedly in specialist hospitals.
Christians wondered why security agents arrived at the scene well after the assailants had left. Zikpak is less than 2 kilometers away from Nigeria’s Joint Task Force (JTF) military base, Christians added.
”This was the second assault on communities around Zikpak within two days. In the immediate aftermath of the attack, Governor Nasir el Rufai of Kaduna State extended a 24-hour curfew, ” CSW added.
The move came after militiamen attacked Zikpak for the third time, opening fire on residents at around 6 am local time but was driven away by local youth, Christians said.
Previously on July 23, militia attack on Doka Avong village in the Kajuru LGA area occurred at around 8pm, claiming the lives of 32-year-old Thaddeus Albarka, Luvinus Danmori, 52, Hannatu Garba, 55, John Mallam, 80, Albarka Mallam, 85, Daniel Mukadas, 70, and Jumare Sule who is 76. Prior to this attack, Fulani assailants had descended on the town of Takau Gida, but were driven back by local youth.
MORE VIOLENCE
Another attack on June 22 on Kizachi-Chawai village in the Chawai Chiefdom claimed the lives of Kefas Monday, 27, Lydia Monday, 24, Giwa Thomas, 14, and Sgfand Living Yohanna, 27, according to Christians familiar with the situation.
The attacks are part of a broader campaign by Muslim militants and others against, especially Christian farmers. CSW’s Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said
his group has urged “the international community” to pressure “the government of Kaduna State and the Federal government.”
He said they should be made aware of
“the urgent need to address the situation in southern Kaduna in an unbiased and effective manner while it is still salvageable. And to assist genuine efforts by these authorities to counteract the multiplicity of armed non-state actors currently terrorizing Nigerian citizens.”
CSW complained that despite recent assurances, at least 80 people had been killed in the region in July alone. The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) claims that 300 southern Kaduna
Rights activists say Christians have been killed in militia attacks in the 200 day period from 1 January to 20 July. And some 620 Christians were reportedly murdered in the area in the last 18 months.