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Southern Kaduna Villagers Stand Up to Security Threats, Killings

Timothy Obiezu

   SOUTHERN KADUNA - After a spate of killings in Nigeria's Southern
   Kaduna state, Christian residents upset with a lack of security in
   their villages began standing up to Muslim attackers by establishing
   their own patrols. The lightly trained guards, armed with whistles and
   sticks, staff strategic spots to keep watch and announce any unusual
   movements in their communities.

   Wielding locally made weapons and sticks, some 30 men in this Kurmin
   Masara village in southern Kaduna chant angrily as they march from
   house to house on patrol.

   They express hurt over recent killings by suspected Muslim attackers
   and are putting their lives on the line to defend their community since
   it was attacked on August 6.

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