Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to the killings in Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State where at least 45 dead bodies have been recovered, following a deadly attack by bandits on Gwaska village.
Reacting to the attack, the Waziri of Adamawa lamented that there was no longer respect for the “sanctity of life” in Nigeria.
In his twitter handle, Mr Abubakar wrote: “My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and the people of Birnin Gwari. May their souls rest in peace.
“It worries me that there is no longer respect for the sanctity of life in our dear country.
“I’m heartbroken to learn that scores of precious lives have been massacred in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State.”
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Police Commissioner, Austin Iwar, told DAILY NIGERIAN that the police recovered only 45 bodies.
“Gwaska is in the middle of the forest. Even from Birnin Gwari, access to the village is very difficult.
“What is on our record so far is: 12 bodies were first recovered and buried yesterday (Saturday), and today, 33 bodies were brought to the emir’s palace. This brings the number to 45.
“I can’t say it is retaliatory attack, but preliminary investigation shows that there were issues between the Gwaska vigilante, who are very powerful, and the bandits,” the CP told DAILY NIGERIAN.
He added that security had been beefed up in the area to forestall future recurrence.
Local sources however said the bodies were earlier lined up at the palace of Emir of Birnin-Gwari for funeral prayer, but later conveyed to Doka town for the funeral rites.
“The situation is tensed, so the authorities decided that the funeral should take place out of the town.
“Security agents have barred us from coming near the bodies or taking pictures of the bodies,” said a resident, Aminu Abubakar.
Also one the volunteers said search and rescue operation was ongoing at Gwaska, saying, “death toll may rise as many bodies are likely to be found in the bush”
In a statement sent to DAILY NIGERIAN, a community organisation, Birnin-Gwari Vanguard for Security and Good Governance, appealed for calm.
“While we commend the resilience of the braved vigilantes and volunteers, we equally call on the people of Birnin-Gwari to remain calm and vigilant for peaceful burial rites of the deceased and await government response (if any) on the massacre of innocent lives and destruction of their homes by armed bandits,” the group said.
