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Gruesome killings continued unabated yesterday when gunmen stormed two Kaduna State communities and massacred the pastor of a church, the community leader and eight others.
The assailants, who were armed with AK-47 rifles and other dangerous weapons, invaded Dayi and Kauna communities in Chikun local government area of the state at midnight and unleashed havoc on selected persons and homes.
A witness said that, on arrival at the village, the armed men shot dead the pastor of the church, Reverend Innocent Mari Chukwuemeka, before setting the church ablaze.
Next, they killed the head of Dayi community, Dogo Sarki. Both men were killed in the presence of their wives and children.
An eyewitness told LEADERSHIP WEEKEND that eight others were killed in the presence of their wives and children.
The chairman of the Chikun local government area, Auta Manman Busa, who visited the scene of the attacks yesterday, described them as unfortunate and inhuman.
“Yes, 10 persons have been confirmed dead while five others have been taken to the Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital for treatment.
“The local government is shocked by what happened and this is most unfortunate because the government of the state has been making frantic efforts towards ensuring peace.
“This is my saddest moment in life.You can’t just explain why this has happened,” the council chairman said.
The widow of the slain pastor, Judith, a mother of two, lamented the gruesome murder of her husband by the gunmen, describing the attack as most cruel and devastating to the family. “When we heard the gunshots, we thought it was hunters who were shooting but we did not realize it was gunmen who had invaded our community.
"Unknown to us, most people in the area had fled on hearing the sustained gunshots. Later, we heard people shouting in the church premises but we could not understand their language.
"Before we could get out, the attackers, who were up to 20 in number and armed with AK47 guns, invaded our home and shot my husband dead at close range," she siad.
The Police public relations officer in the state, Aminu Lawan, confirmed the killings and said that the police were investigating the matter.
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