Fulani Ethnic Militia Unleashed Terror on Kajuru, Killing 40, Displacing 7,000
By Mike Odeh James
(Kaduna) EXCLUSIVE TO TRUTHNIGERIA
Fulani ethnic militia (FEM) unleashed terror on communities in Kajuru County [Local Governance Area], Kaduna State, killing 40, kidnapping 50, and displacing more than 7,000 TruthNigeria has learned. The attacks have left families shattered, homes destroyed, and communities in ruins. The pounding, traumatizing attacks began on Nov. 30, according to locals.
The criminal group behind the Kajuru mass attack on January 8, has demanded a ransom of $100,000 and threatens to obliterate all village hubs with fire if they don’t get it.
Kajuru County, 35 miles southeast of Kaduna, is populated by Christians chiefly of the Adara and Gbagyi ethnic groups. The area has been transformed into a war zone, leaving a trail of death, destruction, and despair.
The once-peaceful communities of Ungwar Rogo, Tsipata, Libere, Afogo, Maraban Kajuru, and Kikwara have been ravaged by a series of brutal attacks perpetrated by Fulani terrorists during the past four weeks.
Residents of the aforementioned communities are fleeing to other counties and settlements due to the relentless killings, kidnappings, and scorched-earth actions of Fulani terrorists.
Attacks on Libere Communities
According to Likita Sani Salihu, secretary of Libere Community, the violence erupted on November 30, 2024, when Fulani terrorists descended upon Gefe community, slaughtering two innocent souls and leaving five others with grievous injuries.
“The violence began on November 30, 2024, when Fulani terrorists raided Gefe community, killing two people and injuring five others,” Salihu recounted to TruthNigeria.
The next day, three people were abducted from Ungwan Tsabta Maraba Kajuru, leaving their families in a state of anguish. The terrorists continued their rampage, storming Libere on December 5, 2024, and setting ablaze homes, motorcycles, and valuables.
“They stormed Libere on December 5, 2024, setting fire to homes, motorcycles, and valuables,” Salihu said.
The attacks have been relentless, with multiple kidnappings and killings reported in various communities.
“On December 8, 2024, three people were kidnapped at Maraba Kajuru, while five others were taken at Kikwari. In Angwaku, one person was killed, and five others were kidnapped,” Salihu added.
The people of Libere have been forced to flee their community, seeking refuge elsewhere. Salihu further stated: “Two women were kidnapped at Kutura on December 8, 2024. On December 11, 2024, six people were kidnapped at Rafinkunu, followed by the kidnapping of one person at Ungwan Dorowa Maro on December 14, 2024.”
Salihu noted that more than 2,000 people from Libere and its surrounding villages have fled to other places as internally displaced persons.
He also said that more than 20 persons have lost their lives since August 2024 till date.
How Fulani Ethnic Militia Killed My Brother on Christmas Eve
For Obadiah Musa, a 28-year-old farmer from Libere Gari, Christmas Eve was a day of unimaginable horror.
“My three brothers and I were fast asleep when we were jolted awake by the sound of gunfire around our farmyard,” he recounted to TruthNigeria.
Before they could even react, the attackers shot his younger brother at point-blank range, killing him instantly. Obadiah himself was also severely injured, with two of his fingers wounded.
“Assuming I was dead, they left me in a pool of blood,” he said.
However, the attackers took approximately 15 other people from the community into the forest, demanding ransom for their release.
“The attacks on Libere Gari are ongoing, forcing us to flee for our lives,” Obadiah concluded.
How Fulani Ethnic Militia Invaded Our Community on New Year’s Day
Alhaji Ishaya Onnusim, Chairman of the Ugom Progressive Union, shared with TruthNigeria a harrowing account of the January 1, 2025, invasion of Angwar Rogo by Fulani ethnic militia.
“The attackers, dressed in Nigerian Army uniforms, arrived on 30 motorcycles and began shooting sporadically at doors. Fortunately, villagers heard their approach and fled into the bushes.”
The terrorists looted and vandalized properties, stealing farm produce, including groundnuts, maize, and soybeans. They also set fire to a brand-new motorcycle belonging to Mr. Babangida Yakubu.
According to Onnusim, no one was kidnapped or killed in that attack. However, the village has been left devastated, with many residents displaced.
“The terrorists torched 15 houses and burned down the Ecumenical Church Winning All (ECWA) church in Angwar Rogo. As we speak, the attacks are still ongoing, and we are calling on Governor Uba Sani and President Bola Tinubu to send soldiers to our communities and save us,” he added.
Official of Ungwar Rogo Precinct (Ward) Speaks
Jacob Jatau, the councilor representing Maru ward, has shared a heart-breaking account of the devastating impact of Fulani terrorist attacks on his community. In an exclusive interview with TruthNigeria, Jatau revealed that Fulani terrorists have completely destroyed many buildings, including a church belonging to the ECWA denomination.
The attacks have forced more than 5,000 residents to flee Angwar Rogo and Angwar Sarki, leaving both communities deserted. Jatau personally experienced the trauma, stating, “I used to live in Ungwar Rogo myself, but I was forced to leave.”
The extent of the destruction is staggering. According to Jatau, “Fulani terrorists not only burned down houses but also destroyed farms, crops, and all the food items we had struggled to gather,” Jatau went on to say. This devastating loss has left the community reeling, with many struggling to survive.
More than 20 persons have been killed by Fulani terrorists since August last year, he added.
Land Grabs and Closure of Churches
Jatau lamented the devastating impact of Fulani terrorism on his community, stating that Ungwar Rogo, Ungwar Sarki, and surrounding areas once had more than 50 thriving churches, including ECWA, Catholic, and Protestant denominations. However, he doubts that even 10 of these churches remain standing today.
Furthermore, Jatau noted that many farmlands and villages abandoned by the Adara and Gbagyi people have been taken over by criminal gangs. This occupation has likely exacerbated the existing humanitarian crisis in the region, displacing countless individuals and disrupting their livelihoods.
Mike Odeh James is a conflict reporter for TruthNigeria in Kaduna State.
