By; Amos Tauna, Kaduna.
Despite heavy presence of security personnel in Kafanchan, gunmen suspected to be herdsmen on Saturday attacked Goska village in Jema’a local government area, of Kaduna state, killing five people and burning most houses in the village.
Our Correspondent reported that the attackers invaded the village around 7pm on Saturday evening as villagers were preparing for evening church service to mark Christmas eve.
Though there was heavy police presence on Sunday after the attack, residents who escaped said that while the invasion was taking place, no police help came until the attackers left.
The corpses of females residents, including the 14 year old daughter of former Chairman of Jema’a local government area, Barrister Gideon Morik, was deposited at the Kafanchan General Hospital mortuary.
It was also gathered that two more women were killed by the assailants, in the village, which belong to Kaninkon people.
The attackers did not burn the entire town, but targeted homes of local community leaders and homes of active youths in the village which also affected other homes, villagers told our reporter.
Meanwhile, Christmas celebration was low-keyed in Kaduna State as the security and economic situation combined to dampen the celebration.
In Southern Kaduna, unlike other years, yearly influx of natives living outside the areas was low.
However, in Zonkwa, Heaquaters of Zangon Kataf local government area, a large crowd of celebrants made a long procession singing woship songs in a yearly event called “Celebrate Jesus.”
The event which was organised by Barrister Mark Jacob, former Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General of Kaduna state, started around 2pm with the throng walking for about 2km on the main street of the town.
Speaking to New Nigerian on the occasion, Jacob said, “This year’s ‘Celebrate Jesus’ is a very solemn one. The Bible says that in every condition you find yourself, praise and give thanks to God. Our people are going through the worse time in recent memory.
“This celebration is to mark the coming of our saviour Jesus Christ and to thank him and express our Faith in him that everything will be alright very soon,” he said.
