..We’ll hunt down killers — Gov el-Rufai
..Soldiers, policemen have failed us— Witness

By Ben Agande

Kaduna—Suspected gunmen, weekend, attacked Asso village in Kagoma chiefdom of Jama’a Local Government Area, in the southern part of Kaduna State, killing about 13 persons.

Sources in the village, who alerted newsmen, alleged that the killings took place at about 7:30 pm on Saturday when numerous gunmen invaded the community and started shooting sporadically.

Governor Nasir el-Rufai, while condemning the attack in his reaction, also vowed that perpetrators of the crime would be hunted and brought to justice.

Narrating his experience, one of the residents of the village, who spoke with journalists, said in the process of trying to run away from the rampaging gunmen, several people sustained injuries from gunshots and had been admitted in the hospital.

He said while the attack lasted, no assistance came from the security personnel, who had been stationed in that part of the state since last December.

We’ll hunt down killers —el-Rufai

But a statement signed by spokesman of Governor el-Rufai, Samuel Aruwan, said the “governor charged security agencies to redouble their efforts in fishing out those behind the killings and to act promptly on carefully vetted intelligence.”

He quoted the governor as saying that the forthcoming military operation, codenamed Operation Harbin Kunama II, was a necessary step towards ending the violence in parts of southern Kaduna.

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While extending his condolences to the victims and their families,  Governor el-Rufai requested support from communities to the security agencies as the Nigerian Army gets set to commence Operation Harbin Kunama II.

He called on the communities in the area to assist the Nigerian Army with vital information that could aid a successful clampdown on elements responsible for the terror attacks on citizens in the area.

According to the state, agencies responsible for emergency services have been directed to offer relief materials to the affected people in the area.

Soldiers, policemen have failed us—Witness

Meanwhile, a man who witnessed the fresh killings said security personnel deployed in the area had been unable to bring the violence in the region under control.

In December, the Federal Government deployed troops to southern Kaduna to end the incessant attacks and killings, but the attackers have managed to strike on a number of occasions.

But speaking, yesterday, the witness, who preferred anonymity for security reasons, said the people might be forced to defend themselves.

He disclosed that the assailants struck between 7pm and 8pm on Saturday, adding: “They were armed with AK-47 rifles. They started shooting sporadically immediately they entered the village.

“I can’t tell of the number of people that were killed, but many sustained injuries from gunshots. The latest attack is an indication that the security agencies can no longer protect us.

“We are now left with no option than to defend ourselves since the soldiers and policemen deployed to ensure safety of lives and property have failed us.”