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Nigeria: Tragic Killing, Abduction Plague Dokan Karji
About 17 people have been killed while over 30 people abducted in Dokan Karji, Dawaki Ward, in Kauru LGA of Kaduna State, North Western Nigeria.
Elanza News reports that the incident took place on Wednesday in the peaceful community of Dokan Karji, located in the Dawaki ward of Kauru Local Government Area (LGA) in Kaduna State, a community inhabited mostly by the Amawa, Maguzawa and other tribal people of Southern Kaduna.
It was not clear who the perpetrators were but the horrifying act of violence resulted in the loss of 17 innocent lives and the abduction of 30 individuals.
Residents say the incident has sent shockwaves through the community and left residents in a state of profound grief and fear, since similar incidents led to the killing of about 200 people in a neighbouring Plateau State.
According to eyewitnesses and local authorities, the tragic event unfolded during the early hours of Wednesday.
They said armed assailants, believed to be bandits, stormed Dokan Karji, launching a deadly attack on unsuspecting residents.
“The attackers, heavily armed and masked, moved swiftly through the community, targeting specific households and spreading terror throughout the once peaceful area,” a resident, Samaila Musa told Elanza News.
He said the assailants unleashed their reign of terror, seventeen innocent lives were tragically cut short.
He said the victims, including men, women, and children, were ruthlessly gunned down in their homes or in the streets as they attempted to flee the chaos.
The indiscriminate nature of the attack left the community traumatized, as no one felt safe from the brutality that unfolded before their eyes.
In addition to the lives lost, thirty individuals were forcefully abducted by the assailants.
The abducted individuals, whose identities have not been disclosed, include both adults and children. Their families now live in constant anguish, awaiting news of their loved ones’ fate and praying for their safe return.
The news of the killing and abduction in Dokan Karji has sent shockwaves throughout Kaduna State, prompting immediate action from the state government and security agencies, following a similar incident in neighboring Plateau State that led to the killing of about 200 people.
The Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani is yet to issue an official statement concerning the incident.
Security forces, including the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Army, are yet to react to the incident but sources said they have been mobilized to the area to conduct investigations and secure the release of the abducted individuals.
“The authorities are working tirelessly to gather intelligence and track down the assailants responsible for this brutal attack,” a source informed Elanza News.
Local residents, gripped by fear and grief, are calling for increased security measures and enhanced protection for their community.
They are pleading with the government and security agencies to prioritize the safety of their lives and property, as well as to ensure the swift and safe return of the abducted individuals.
The killing and abduction in Dokan Karji serve as a painful reminder of the security challenges faced by communities in Kaduna State and other parts of Nigeria.
Banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of criminal activities have plagued the region, leaving communities vulnerable and in constant fear, especially the killing of over 200 in Plateau State on the Eve of Christmas.
Elanza News reports that as the investigation into the Dokan Karji incident unfolds, it is crucial for the government and security agencies to address the root causes of such violence and implement sustainable strategies to secure the lives and livelihoods of the people.
Communities like Dokan Karji deserve peace, security, and the freedom to live their lives without the constant threat of violence.
In the wake of this tragic event, the resilience and unity of the Dokan Karji community are being tested. However, the spirit of the people remains unbroken as they come together to support one another during these difficult times.
Community leaders told Elanza News that they are determined to overcome this tragedy and rebuild, with hopes of a brighter and more secure future.
Analysts say the tragic incident in Dokan Karji should serve as a wake-up call for the government and all stakeholders involved in ensuring the safety and security of Nigerian citizens through a comprehensive approach that includes intelligence gathering, community engagement, social and economic development, regional collaboration, technological advancements, and accountability.
Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communications to Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has responded to the recent appointment of Bashir Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.).
Olayinka took to X (formerly Twitter) to address discussions surrounding this leadership transition. His post aimed to clarify that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not dismiss Mele Kyari, a northerner, to replace him with a southerner, as some speculated. Instead, Olayinka pointed out that Ojulari, like Kyari, hails from the northern region of Nigeria.
According to Olayinka’s post on his official X account, he emphasised that Bashir Ojulari is from Kwara State, located in North Central Nigeria. Additionally, the new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, originates from Borno State in the North East.
His post stated: “Bashir Ojulari, the new NNPCL CEO, is a northerner from Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. The new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, is also a northerner, from Borno State, North East Nigeria.”
Olayinka’s statement came in response to narratives suggesting that the appointment was politically motivated to favour one region over another.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State, while warning against retaliatory violence targeting Southerners in Northern Nigeria.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, MBF Spokesman Luka Binniyat denounced inflammatory threats from individuals claiming to represent Northern interests in response to the killings.
Recalled that the victims, were allegedly armed hunters, traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano when they were attacked by a mob that accused them of being kidnappers.
“The MBF strongly condemns the unlawful killing of any Nigerian citizen, including those who lost their lives in Uromi,” the statement read. “However, we categorically reject any attempt to use this tragic incident as a pretext to unleash violence against Southerners residing in Northern Nigeria.”
The forum assured that the Middle Belt would not become a battleground for reprisals, emphasizing that it remains a safe haven for all law-abiding Nigerians. It urged community leaders and youths to remain vigilant and prevent any attempts to instigate violence, calling for anyone with such intentions to be handed over to authorities.
The MBF also reaffirmed its commitment to justice for all victims of violence across Nigeria. The statement highlighted the ongoing security challenges facing Middle Belt communities, citing persistent attacks by armed herdsmen with little government intervention.
” We hope that the swift response to the Uromi killings would serve as a precedent for broader action against criminal elements terrorizing the region.
“Thousands of our people remain in captivity, and vast portions of our land are still under the control of violent outlaws—primarily Fulani militants,” the statement noted.
“Justice must be served across the board.”
The MBF concluded by reiterating its support for the ongoing investigation into the Uromi incident and calling for a fair and decisive crackdown on all forms of criminality across the country.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim kware, has commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.
Ibrahim Kware whp gave the commendation when he led other members of the State Assembly on Sallah homage to governor Aliyu, added that, the governor is very prudent in managing resources to achieve results.
“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,”he affirmed.
This , according to him, is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the State’s Judiciary, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.
Justice Sifawa also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear testimony of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.
Responding to the commendations, governor Ahmed Aliyu appealed for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.
A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to governor Alhmed Aliyu reaffirmed his principal’s unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state,in line with his campaign promises.
The governor also urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.
“”I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”
He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.
Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor appealed to Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.
“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.
“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.
“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.
The governor further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.