The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) says the latest attack that claimed over 100 lives of the people of the area has confirmed its earlier position that the Fulanis have declared a Jihad on the people of Southern Kaduna and Nigeria.

National President of SOKAPU, Dr. Ephraim Goje, while addressing a press conference in the state capital, Kaduna, today said the declaration is also evident in the genocide in Bondong, as well as the murder of innocent persons in Birnin Gwari, Katsina, Plateau, Zamfara, Taraba and Benue states.

His words: “This incident is one out of the over 40 attacks in southern communities since 2011. In all this attacks, we have identified the perpetrators as Fulani herdsmen as being responsible but each time we raise this observation, the Fulani socio-cultural organisations within the state has out-rightly denied the involvement of their people asking for proof.

“In some of these attacks, suspects have been arrested and handed over to security agencies for prosecution only for the culprits to be seen walking freely on the streets the next day.

“The recent attack was led by two well known young Fulanis resident in Manchock town who died in the process. Their dead bodies have clearly and unambiguously been identified by the natives and their corpses are now kept by the Joint Task Force (JTF) Command in Kafanchan for further forensic screening.

“This has clearly vindicated us and confirms our earlier position that the Fulanis have declared a Jihad on the people of Southern Kaduna and Nigeria, evidenced by this genocide in Bondong, the murder at Katsina State, Birnin Gwari, Plateau, Zamfara, Taraba, Benue, etc.

“Ladies and gentle men of the press, I am addressing you this afternoon with a very heavy heart and shock over the barbaric and brutal massacre of about 114 innocent and peace-loving children and women, the aged and burning down of over 60 houses, food, animal and assets of the people of Maisankwai, Tyekum, Maikakpang and Ungwan Kura in Bondong district of Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State by Fulani murderers on Friday night of 14th March, 2014.”

•Photo shows SOKAPU National President, Dr. Ephraim Goje.