Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has said 387 persons were killed in the communal clash in two local governments, Kauru and Zangon Kataf.
He said this at the palace of Agwatyap, Atak Njei, Zangon Kataf on Wednesday.
El-Rufai, who was represented by the Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, during the meeting with traditional rulers, religious and community leaders from the councils at the palace of Agwatyap called on the communities in Kauru and Zangon Kataf to maintain recourse to the law and avoid generalizations that keep complicating the security situation in the areas.
Aruwan, who was accompanied to the meeting by security chiefs, during an emergency meeting with the traditional rulers further said the counter killings are unjustifiable.
He said the killings of 387 people were a result of attack and counterattack by some disgruntled elements in the communities.
He said the attack was mainly carried out among Atyap, Fulani, Chawai, Irigwe and Hausa communities in Kauru and Zangon Kataf local government areas.
Aruwan, giving the breakdown, further noted that in 2020, 114 citizens were killed in Zangon Kataf and 28 in Kauru; and in 2021,186 were killed in Zangon Kataf and 59 in Kauru.
He said in 2021, 100 citizens suffered gunshot injuries in the two councils, 77 in Zangon Kataf and 23 in Kauru, adding that several houses and settlements were burnt, farms destroyed, cattle killed and collapse of the rural economy that affected all the communities.
The member of the House of Representatives representing Zangon Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency, Amos Gwamna Magaji, in his remarks supported the appeal for recourse to the law and collective campaign and peace in the locations.
In their separate remarks, the Agwatyap, Sir Dominic Gambo Yahaya, and Res-Tsam (Chief of Chawai), Alhaji Yahaya Mohammed, corroborated calls for peace and pledge their commitment to support security forces in their moves for sustainable peace and development.
The chairman of Zangon Kataf local government, Hon. Francis Sani, and his Kauru local government counterpart, Hon Bashir Dawaki, commended Governor El-Rufai for dispatching a high powered delegation to the areas following the renewed killings and counter killings.
The Commander, Sector 7 of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) Col. Tony Opurum, expressed concern over the incessant killings and lawlessness being experienced. He said the military will continue to work hard in containing threats to peace in his area of responsibility.
ACP Danladi Ibrahim, Area Commander, Kafanchan Police Area Command, said the police will continue to be neutral and prosecute anyone found guilty.
The meeting ended with all sides agreeing to deepen the campaign for peace and continue the engagements in all communities.
The participants unanimously appealed to the Kaduna State Government to resolve the land tussle lingering in Zangon Kataf since the 1992 crisis.