89 people killed, 2,000 displaced in Zango Kataf crisis, group alleges

The Zango Urban Development Association, a socio-cultural association representing the interest of the Hausa/Fulani Community in Atyap Chiefdom of Zango Kataf has said about 89 people were killed and 2,000 of their kinsmen and women were displaced during the recent crisis in the area.

This was even as they condemned the perennial disruption of peace in Zango Kataf.

In a statement issued to the Tribune Online on Tuesday and signed by the National Vice Chairman of ZUDA, Alh Ayuba Tasiu remarked that “whenever there is a crisis in the area, our brothers the Southern Kaduna People Union (SOKAPU) and Atyap Community Development Association (ACDA) would always misrepresent facts and look as if it is a one-way traffic.

“It is on record that since 1992 after the unfortunate injustice that happened against us, most of our farmlands had been taken over by the Katafs, and even after the then military administration of Col. Ja’afaru Isa intervened and brokered peace in 1996 between and amongst the various factions, our farmlands till date have not been returned to us.

“As usual, verbal assurances are given to us by the Agwa Atyap (king) but in reality, nothing is done to hand over our farms back to us.

“Our people that have annually attempted to use the farmlands for almost these three decades have always been attacked with guns, cutlasses and matchets. That was exactly what happened last week.

“The resultant of these attacks led to the death of about 89 of our kinsmen and women, while 2,000 have been displaced and are now refugees.

“Among those killed were Shehu Ahmad (from our community and burnt alive in his car along with a Fulani woman at Anguwan Wakili), Malam Adamu Sabon Gari (at his farm located in Rafin Tsaka) and Hassan Rimi (at Bayan Chakaikai).

However, the timely intervention of the Kaduna State Government and various security agencies really helped in calming the tension and further prevented loss of lives and properties.

ALSO READ: Bayelsa guber: Supreme Court orders accelerated hearing of Alaibe’s appeal

“Zango Urban Development Association condemns in toto the killing of one Moses Yusuf as most unfortunate and barbaric.

“Contrary to the claim by SOKAPU and Atyap Development Association, it must be corrected that his body was neither found within Zango Urban District nor anywhere near our farms.

“And if his corpse was truly ‘taken several kilometres of distance away’ as the Katafs told the media, some hard evidence must be provided to support any claim.

“Afterall, the case is still being investigated by the police, so if they are sure of their innocence, no need to pre-empt the outcome. Unfortunately, desperate people would stop at nothing to create an excuse to cause carnage.

“Moreso, the deceased was not a Kataf but Chawai from Chawai chiefdom in Kauru Local Government Area.

“If the claim of the Katafs of suspecting the killing of Moses Yusuf, which they said was the immediate cause of the crises, was perpetrated by the Hausa Community of Zango Urban why did they go round attacking and killing the Fulanis they had been living together for many years?

“Why did they also attack Zango Urban area if their claim or allegation as to the killing of Moses was perpetrated by the Fulanis?

“We also call on our people to remain calm and be law-abiding in all situations.  All parties involved must know that unrests are like an ill-wind that blows nobody any good.”