Last Wednesday, another violent incident on this police check point, which is about 2km to Pasankori (a palmwine depot) down-slope, would become a grim precursor to the evil that would befall Godogodo, about 8km away, three days later.

As confirmed by Kaduna State Police Spokesman, ASP Aliyu Usman, a band of suspected armed herdsmen, penultimate Wednesday, laid ambush to six policemen manning this check point. A few seconds of rattling gunfire left two cops dead, all Sergeants. Two escaped with wounds, and two were unscathed. The most disturbing dimension of the incident was that the assailants left with two fully loaded AK 47 riffles of the fallen cops.

“As soon as I heard that they made away with two riffles, I knew that an invasion of any of our villages was inevitable,” said a vigilante leader in Godogodo to Saturday Vanguard last Thursday.

“We have heard that Fulani were massing for a serious attack on Godogodo and other places and we told the police and soldiers that we were working with,” he said.

“It was said that they came from Nasarawa State and some from plateaus state to team up with those already on ground and hiding in our deserted villages. On our part, we called in some vigilante from other tribes, and they came. So when we heard about the gun taken from the police, we knew it was just a matter of time,” he said.

In retrospect, the heroic exploits of these vigilante are hardly mentioned in their efforts at safeguarding communities from the aggressions of their perennial foes.

However, a Press Statement on 25th September signed by Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman, acting Director Army Public Relations revealed how they sacrifice their lives for their community in return for nothing. The statement reads: “Gallant troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army in a joint operation with personnel of Nigeria Police and local vigilantes have today repelled a coordinated attack by gunmen on Godogodo town of Kaduna State.

“The troops fought off the attackers and pursued them into the bush, inflicting heavy casualty on them.

“Unfortunately four local vigilantes lost their lives while another 9 were wounded in the course of countering the dastardly attack meant to cause more loss of lives and properties of law abiding citizens of Godogodo Town.”

According to him, the following Fulani were arrested: Lawal Gambo, Yau Sani, Bala Amodu, Ibrahim Maikaru, Abubakar Hassan and Bashiru Isa Ciroma in the cause of the encounter.

That was as much as the ill-trained, poorly armed but highly committed vigilante of Godogodo could go to protecting their homelands.

So what went wrong last Saturday after the vigilante claimed that they were well alert and had informed the Army and Police stationed there? Saturday Vanguard uncovered an unconfirmed disturbing conspiracy.

“We were sitting around, talking and exchanging jokes, when the soldier who in charge of the seven soldiers guiding Godogodo approached us,” said another vigilante.

“ He and his troops were in their pick up van. He came down from the van and came over to us. We went to a side where he said that he had important information to tell us. He said that soldiers from another formation were coming to search Godogodo for firearms. That if any of us had any guns, we must immediately remove them to a safer place, since they were on their way. He said he did not want to be seen as aiding them to bear arms. It was around 5:30pm last Saturday. He left with his soldiers. Some of us, who had hunting guns or den guns ran and took them into hiding. We even called those that were not around to come get their stuff out,” he said.

“Then exactly by 6pm, it was not even dark yet, when we heard gun shots from the side of Unguwan Ninzom part of the town. That part of the town is the most vulnerable, because our people (native and non-native Christians) live there and the place stretches far outwards from the town,” he continued.

“The Fulani gunmen usually don’t touch Hausa people and their property. We’re their prime targets, because they say our villages have now become their grazing reserves and we must give way.

“Then there were more gunshots. That was when we it dawned on us that we have been tricked. There were no police, no soldiers and we did not have what it would take to defend ourselves. Some of us, with only cutlasses, machetes and sticks tried to reach the source of the shooting, but it was a clear suicide attempt. I saw them gun down three boys. I ducked and crawled into a ditch before running away. Women and children were screaming. Within a few minutes they started burning houses. You could even see them from a far. Fulani men with AK 47. We were running helter-skelter, rescuing the elderly, children and women to the outskirt of the town. The Hausa part of the town was spared, so we directed those who escaped to run through the Hausa side to safety. We were also making frantic calls to everyone who could help. By 8pm, from where two of us were hiding, there were still people sneaking out to safety, but the wailing of those trapped in their homes had stopped. They had either been killed, or roasted alive in the inferno.

“I don’t know when the police or soldiers returned, because we had wondered into the bush with women and children and eventually walked them to Gidan Waya. We arrived Gidan Waya around 1am on Sunday.

“The killings continued on Sunday morning. We heard that the Police came, but were over powered. If we had not been deceived to do away with our weapons, I can assure that it could have been fire-for-fire. We have written officially to the Police and the Nigeria Army about this,” he said.

Contacted on the allegation, Col. Abdull Usman, the Public Relations Officer, PRO, 1 Division, Nigerian Army, told Saturday Vanguard that he was not aware of such a complaint.

He said: “If anything like this ever happened, the people of Godogodo will naturally take their complaint to the police. You, know the work we are doing there is actually the work that should be done by the Nigeria police. I think the people will naturally take their grievances to the Police. But, if they did write us, believe me, I am not aware. And you know the Nigeria Army would never compromise the safety of any Nigerian. We don’t take such matters lightly,” he said.

When Saturday Vanguard sought confirmation from Kaduna State Police Spokesman, ASP, Aliyu Usman over the curious development, he said he was going to get back, but never up to the time of going to press.

At the end of the violence, 40 people were killed by Sunday afternoon with scores injured. Most of Godogodo town was burnt to ashes too.Godogodo, the headquarters of Godogodo Chiefdom, Jema’a Local Government Area, LGA, of Kaduna state, is a semi-urban old town that was more of a mining settlement in the early 1900s. As tin mining died in the early 70s, Godogodo still became prosperous from farming and trading, thanks to its well drained rich loamy soils, alluvial plains served with perennial streams. It is also well connected to the South, and North of Nigeria through a trunk A road. Though the town is the traditional home of the Ninte people, however, Numana, Ninzom, Mada and other neighbours soon came to join, in the early days of its formation

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/10/gododogodo-chilling-mass-murder-wrapped-conspiracy/

I read the article and realized Fulanis are mean. They teamed up with soldiers and tricked local vigilantes to hide their guns by threatening them with a military search before proceeding to masacre the villagers in cold blood. I hope OBJ sees this and talk to those whose job it is to protect from Fulani herdsmen.

There is a synergy between this government and fulani herdsmen to exterminate farmers and local people. Its time to rise up and protect ourselves through any meanz possible

This is sad. Very sad
When will all these bloodshed stop?

Buhari must have inside information in all these

It is a pity that northern Christian are endangered species in their home land_ they are my greatest concern in the north_for they have no where to go_ they have to survive in all front; political survival, religious survival, domination survival, military/herdsmen survival, cultural survival, stereotypical survival_ they are only useful during election, their women and girls are sex object for the feudalists_ too pathetic.

Sibrah:
I read the article and realized Fulanis are animals. They teamed up with soldiers and tricked local vigilantes to hide their guns by threatening them with a military search before proceeding to masacre the villagers in cold blood. I hope OBJ sees this and talk to those whose job it is to protect from Fulani herdsmen.

Its either that or they dressed in army clothes to fool the locals and give legitimacy to their message.

many successful fulani attacks are preceded by disarmament of the local vigilante forces by state agents ...its an ageless tactic.
happened in agatu, sanga, wukari etc.
i reaffirm my support for harsh retaliatory strikes against the demons

ImperialYoruba:


Its either that or they dressed in army clothes to fool the locals and give legitimacy to their message.

They don't need that at all. They have uniform men under their belt.

Southern Kaduna people needs to fight back like they did, during the Zango Kataf crisis

Ranting of Miyetti Allah (Fulani
herdsmen) keeps hitting FP but when
they attack innocent People with
collaborations with security forces you
try to hide the news.

Are the cows now more worth than
human life

Our irresponsible president has yet to speak up about the killings of officers under his command, citezens he's supposed to protect, and property right he's supposed to uphold.

Everyone needs to protect themselves.

Baba obj said e no concern buhari, since it is not bh, it is not part of insecurity.

Kai, kai.

There was never a country.

I am happy that time is not a static phenomenon. This administration (regime, actually) will end one day.

Lastly, I am grateful that no one lives forever. I believe in life after death. Hence, no matter how much people get away with their wickedness here, they'll get a just and maximum recompense on the other side.

IdomaLikita:
many successful fulani attacks are preceded by disarmament of the local vigilante forces by state agents ...its an ageless tactic.
happened in agatu, sanga, wukari etc.
i reaffirm my support for pre-emptive strikes against the demons

I disagree with preemptive strike but agree with arming and protecting ones self. Every village and farming commuity needs to set up militia force. Keep a few guns, few thousand rounds, and emergency supplies (first aid). The government can't protect us.

Fulani caste system:

*Cattle owners ( Emirs, elites, retired generals)
*Security operatives (officers embedded within military, DSS, police)
*Militia wing ( Ak47 wielding 'herdsmen')
*Herdsmen (Cattle herders/rearers)

-Professor Charles Adisa (on a TV interview programme)

We've said it time and again : The Fulani attacks in Kaduna,Benue,Enugu etc all have the backing of Buhari and the army. The Nigerian army is a dishonorable entity.

Why is this not on FP, no wonder Fayose is doing wat he is doing.

dey there.

I believe this report 100%.

This is chilling!
V distateful and unacceptable.

Nigeria our kwantry

Lalasticlala how market? This is a front page material

otokx:
I believe this report 100%.

this is called investigative journalism

I'll urge all peace loving Nigeria to post this on there Facebook,Twitter,instagram nd other social media if nairaland won't post it.
lets save a life today

The more reason we need state policing, no wonder they kick against state police cuz they control the affairs of the military.

Patience earned 700k got to FP b4 this.

Haba.
Lalasticlala

Pavarottii:
Patience earned 700k got to FP b4 this.

Haba.
Lalasticlala

You hardly see news as this even in the mainstream media outlets cos some has been compromised by the government to silence reports such as this from needed awareness by Nigerians.

A lot of evils are happening under present administration.