Florence Sadiku
THE presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, on Sunday, condemned Saturday night attack on the Ungwan Wakili community in Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Obi made his displeasure known via his Twitter page while calling on the Federal Government to bring the perpetrators to book.
He wrote, “I am shocked by the reports of a terror attack on Ungwan Wakili community in Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State with high casualties. I condemn the act in its entirety.
“The job of securing Nigeria and Nigerians must form the top priority of any serious government in power. In building a new Nigeria where Nigerians can feel safe and free, the security agents must live up to their duties.
“I urge them to bring the perpetrators of these attacks to book.
“May God grant eternal rest to those who lost their lives in this terrorist attack and console their bereaved families. –PO”
Eighteen-Eleven Media reports that no fewer than 17 persons lost their lives during the attack believed to be a reprisal.
It was gathered that aside from the pockets of complaints of cow poisoning and destruction of farm produce by the locals and Fulani, which they have been resolving, the recent attack might be due to the killing of a Fulani herder about five days ago in Ungwan Juju apparently in retaliation of the killing of one of their locals last month.
Speaking with newsmen, the council chairman, Zango Kataf Local Government, Mr. Francis Sani Zimbo, condemned the barbaric attack assuring that investigations are on to unravel the perpetrators to bring them to book.
He expressed regret on why all the Mobile Police checkpoints within the affected communities were withdrawn before the attack.
Meanwhile, the locals, while expressing their displeasure in protests, wondered how an attack will last about 40 minutes without a single attacker killed by the security operatives even with the presence of a forward operating base within the community.