Governor Nasir El-Rufai has registered his regrets over the killing of a herder identified as Kaminu Suleiman by unidentified gunmen.

Mr Suleiman was reportedly killed while he was “grazing his herds.”

The incident occurred Tuesday at Sabanfan village in Zangon Kataf Local (LGA) of the state.

Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner, Internal Security and Home Affairs in a statement Tuesday, described the recent  killing carried out by an unknown assailants as a reprisal attack.

“This killing is the latest in a sequence of attacks and counter-attacks, after the following four locals were killed yesterday in Wawan Rafi II village of the same local government.” the commissioner said.

Mr Aruwan further disclosed that the deceased was macheted to death by the assailants.

“Troops responded to information of the attack and found the corpse bearing machete cuts, buried in the mud by the river bank.” the statement explained.

Mr Aruwan noted that the state governor expressed sadness over the killing of the herder as he condemned the incessant killings and counter-killings in the state.

“Governor Nasir El-Rufai noted the report with sadness, and prayed for the repose of the slain herder’s soul. The Governor also sent condolences to his family,” Mr. Aruwan said.

“The Governor further noted with dismay the persistence of killings, counter-killings, and destruction of crops and livestock in the area, despite the sincerest efforts of the Government, security agencies and traditional authorities,” the statement added.

Many communities across Southern Kaduna have been ravaged by the violent invasion by armed herders over the years that has resulted to the deaths of many residents. Natives who are mainly farmers have also pushed back against incursions by the herders in reprisals.