by John Ameh
The House of Representatives on Tuesday summoned the Minister of Defence, Gen. Aliyu Gusau (retd.), to explain the circumstances leading to the massacre of over 200 villagers by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Zamfara State last Sunday.
The attackers, said to be armed with sophisticated military weapons, had killed the villagers in Unguwar Galadima.
Many others were reportedly maimed, while the community was deserted.
Also summoned were the Inspector-General Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, and the National Security Adviser, Mr. Sambo Dasuki.
Incidentally, both the minister and the IG are from Zamfara State.
A member from Zamfara State, Mr. Ibrahim Shehu-Gusau, also sponsored the motion resulting in the summoning of the three top security chiefs.
They are to appear before the Joint Committee on Security.
Leading the debate on the motion, which he raised under matters of urgent public importance, Shehu-Gusau complained that till date, no reasons had been given for the attack.
He informed the House that the suspected herdsmen neither wrote a letter nor passed any form of message stating their grievances.
Shehu-Gusau said the, villagers were taken aback when “well armed men” invaded the community on motorcycles, shooting at anybody on sight.
He added, “The attack followed a pattern already established as we have seen in earlier cases in Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau states.
“Mr. Speaker, unless urgent steps are taken to stop these people, we may be facing another form of terrorism, which is fast spreading.”
The lawmaker called for the deployment of security personnel to the community to restore confidence in the villagers so that they could return home.
While endorsing the motion, the House directed the National Emergency Management Agency to send relief materials to the victims.
Members also observed a minute’s silence in honour of the dead.
The session was presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha.
