15th May, 2023
By Olukayode Babalola
Anger is trailing killing of least 14 people have been confirmed killed in gunmen attacks on Takallafia, Kwaja, Anguwan Magoro and other communities in Gitata, Panda Development Area of Karu Local Government of Nasarawa State last Friday.
Houses and other properties were also set ablaze in what was believed to be reprisal attack over the killing of an 18-year-old boy identified as Jibo Ali while on his way to Kwaja village in Gitata on Thursday night.
Nasarawa police spokesperson, Ramhan Nansel said Ali was attacked and later died at a private hospital where he was receiving treatment.
He added that the Police Command has begun investigation into the killings.
Narrating events that led to the mass murder, the police spokesperson in a statement on Sunday said the Command on May 11, 2023 at about 2200 hours received information that one Jibo Ali, was attacked by unidentified persons while on his way to Kwaja village, Gitata in Karu LGA.
He said that Police operatives attached to Gitata Division raced to the scene and rushed the victim with machete cut on his head to Na-Allah private hospital, Gitata, where he died while receiving treatment.
“Sequel to the above, information was received that Tarkalafia and Kwaja villages were later attacked,” he said.
Nansel said the Commissioner of Police, Maiyaki Baba had deployed police operatives comprising mobile police personnel and counter terrorism unit to the area.
He said that officers of the military also visited the area where 14 corpses were recovered, adding that they were referred to hospital and subsequently buried.
“The Commissioner of Police hereby condoled with all those who lost their loved ones and ordered discreet investigation to unravel the faces behind the attack, assuring that anyone found culpable will be dealt with according to provisions of the law”.
While reacting to the reprisal attack, Nasarawa State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) on Sunday called for investigation of the killings.
Speaking at Keffi (Nasarawa State), Mr Jaafar Loko, Chairman of NYCN expressed shock and sadness and called for thorough investigation to fish out those behind the murders.
He commended the state government for its proactive measures to curtail the situation and called on youths and residents in affected communities to not take laws into their hands.
He enjoined residents to allow security agencies to carry out detailed investigations to unmask those behind the killings.
“The situation is uncalled for. It is a calculated attempt to truncate the peace we are enjoying in the state as well as to create another political tension,’’ he stated.
Loko called on Nasarawa State youths to remain law-abiding; to provide security agencies with relevant information and not allow themselves to be used as agents of destruction and chaos.
“No society can develop in rancour and instability. As the most populous segment of society, youths are prone to be victims of circumstances of this nature and mostly affected by crises.
“Nasarawa State belongs to all of us and we must continue to advocate for peaceful coexistence, unity and development,’’ Loko stated.
(NAN)