The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Southern Kaduna

  • Southern Kaduna: I’m not a religious bigot – El-Rufai

    Southern Kaduna: I’m not a religious bigot – El-Rufai

    Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, on Tuesday described those linking him with killings in Southern part of the state as mischief makers.

    El-Rufai said he is neither a religious bigot nor ethnic jingoist who will organise crisis in his state.

    This came just as the governor called for more funding for the security agencies in the yet to be passed 2017 budget, to enable them appropriately tackle internal security challenges.

    El-Rufai spoke when he received the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Southern Kaduna Crisis at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House on Tuesday.

    Briefing the Senate Committee led by former Governor of Kano State, Kabir Gaya, the governor said his government inherited three main problems of cattle rustling, urban gang called “Shara Suka” and communal killings.

    He said, “When we came in we met three main problems on ground, cattle rustling, urban gang and communal killings.

    “As the chief security officer of the state, we really do not have control over the security agencies, we have committed so much in funding security agencies in the state. We have bought bullet proof vest and vans for security agencies. We have committed N4 billion in support of security agencies in the state.

    “The state government will continue to support the security agencies in the state even though it is the responsibility of the federal government.”

    He, however, called for additional support for security agencies in the 2017 budget, saying, “there is need for training and retraining of security personnel and the purchase of additional security equipment.”

    On the Southern Kaduna killings, the Governor assured the Senate that he would deploy resources to facilitate the take-off of the proposed military garrison in the area.

     

     

     

  • Osinbajo to Nigerians: resist divisive tendencies over Southern Kaduna killings

    Osinbajo to Nigerians: resist divisive tendencies over Southern Kaduna killings

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has urged the citizenry to display true leadership virtues and resist the temptation to succumb to divisive tendencies.
    A source in the Presidency, who craved anonymity, quoted the Acting President as responding to the leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), which accused him of keeping silent in the face of brutal killings of Christians in Southern Kaduna.
    The source said Osinbajo would always work in line with the rule of law and was committed to the best standards of governance that value the life of every Nigerian, regardless of religion or ethnicity.
    He noted that even though there were weaknesses in the nation’s criminal justice system that limited his action, the Acting President was still working within government to bring the reforms necessary, including the option of community policing, to effectively arrest the situation in Southern Kaduna and other places.
    The source said:  “The Acting President has always acted to defend the rule of law and course of Justice. He is firmly committed to the best standards of governance that primes and values the life of every Nigerian, regardless of religion or ethnicity. As far as he is concerned, all Nigerians are equal and loved by God and does not discriminate on the basis of religion.
    “Alongside the President, Prof. Osinbajo is unwavering in ensuring that anyone who violates the law should and must be made to face the full extent of the law.
    “He has spoken out publicly on the inherent weaknesses in the nation’s Criminal Justice System, and is working assiduously within government to bring the reforms necessary, including the option of community policing.
    “The current limitations of the criminal justice system, however, affect virtually every kind of crime, including the example of high profile murders of the past, many of which remain unsolved.
    “This administration will continue to defend and protect the lives of all Nigerian citizens. It’s the reason the President gave firms instructions to security agencies – military and police – to send reinforcements to Southern Kaduna to enforce the peace. The Southern Kaduna crisis has become a worrying recurrent decimal over the years.
    “We -all of us in government, political, religious leaders, traditional rulers and the Nigerian people, especially the elites- must work to find a lasting solution.”

  • NLC urges FG to stop killings in Southern Kaduna

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the Federal Government to stop the killings in Southern Kaduna.

    NLC President Mr Ayuba Wabba made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Wabba described the situation in Southern Kaduna as “unfortunate’’ and “something that is of concern’’.

    He said: “It is really (an) unfortunate situation and clearly it demonstrates the fact that good governance is not in place, because for us organised labour, it is something that is of concern.

    “The issue of southern Kaduna was actually addressed at a point in time.

    “There was a particular administration that was able to find a solution around this issue and suddenly peace actually returned to that part of Nigeria.

    “But this issue is resurfacing, which means we are not actually getting it right.

    “Therefore, it is high time those gladiators did things that will be in the interest of the citizens.

    “Whatever argument is playing out now would not actually address the issue until our leaders take full responsibility to be able to fix and address the issue and anything short of that is failure.

    “Governance is about responsibility; the primary purpose of governance anywhere in the world is security, peace of the people.’’ (NAN)

  • Southern Kaduna killings: Survivors relive ordeal

    Southern Kaduna killings: Survivors relive ordeal

    Survivors of the latest crisis in Southern Kaduna have narrated their experience, saying over 146 persons were killed, 215 injured and 10,000 displaced. GBENGA OMOKHUNU reports 

    IT was an emotional atmosphere as some survivors of the latest crisis in Southern Kaduna relived their ordeal before the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Abuja. Some were moved to tears.

    Herdsmen and crop farmers clashed, with over 146 people killed.

    President of CAN, Reverend Samson Ayokunle alongside other members of the association said government has failed in tackling the crisis.

    Ayokunle said, “We have Godogodo community in Southern Kaduna which is predominantly Christian  and the people from Gidanwaya community. For months they have been facing the danger of killing because the Fulani herdsmen have been attacking them from right, left and centre. Many of the people here can no longer stay in their communities where they are given birth to. Many of their brothers and sisters have been killed.

    “We are appealing to the government of the day; it is becoming unbearable. Shall we keep quite when they are killing our people? Every Nigerian has the right to be protected. We are appealing to the IGP and all the security agents, governor of Kaduna State, please do your work and let us see that it is not one-sided. Southern Kaduna is predominantly Christian. Why is it that this is the area targeted, is this not Boko Haram in another colour?

    Speaking on behalf of the nine victims, Rev. Chawaison Nathan, who is the CAN secretary in Godogodo Zone, said he witnessed the clash, adding that over 146 people were killed, 215 injured, 10,000 displaced, 319 houses burnt in 25 villages of Kaduna State.

    Nathan told newsmen that since May 26 last year when the crisis started, the governor only visited one village ones.

    He said, “The nine of us that are here are witnesses to what is happening. We narrowly escaped death as some of us participated in keeping peace in Kaduna.

    “The Godogodo and Gidanwaya clash between Fulani herdsmen and the farmers started on May 26, 2016. It started in the farm when one Angodongo went to his farm around 4 in the evening of the 26th and he was macheted by four Fulani boys, two from Nikte and the other two from Ninte/Gadafi. Angodongo was rushed to the General Hospital in Kafanchan and while he was in the hospital on that day his children and relatives in retaliation went into the Angolo of Ninte and burnt down his house and killed the Ango.

    “While we were trying our best to fish out that boy who did that, the police came to make arrests but while the security operatives were making arrests the Fulani came back on May 31, 2016 and burnt down the entire village. Ninte is a village that has a population of over 1000. It has two big churches, one is a baptist church and the other one is an ECWA church. All the churches have congregations of more than 500 worshippers. And everybody in Nikte earns his living from farming. Five persons were killed.

    “A week later Fulani from Gidanwaya, Atuku and Mailafia moved their cattle to the farmlands of Ninte people and were not grazing in the bush but were grazing on their farmlands. I took it upon myself to report the incident to the area commander but one of the Fulani men who were called to explain said they will not move their cattle.

    “They stayed in Ninte with their cattle for over one and half months. And while they were in Ninte 13 persons from Ninte were killed, a 70-year-old woman was raped. I was the one who took the woman to the hospital. We later signed a peace document on August 1, 2016 and after signing the document a couple was shot in the farm. All the attacks took place in the day. We saw who were attacking us and how our members were killed. They killed 7 of my members and we managed to bury 5. Nobody could go to their farms and 95 percent of the villagers are farmers and in my church I have only two civil servants of a population of over three hundred. Twenty five villages were affected in Godogodo kingdom.

    “319 houses were burnt down, 215 people injured, 50, 000 houses burnt in the 25 villages, over 146 were killed, 215 injured, 10, 000 people are displaced, 30, 000 hectares of farm lands destroyed.”

     

  • Southern Kaduna ‘killers’ to be prosecuted, says El-Rufai

    Southern Kaduna ‘killers’ to be prosecuted, says El-Rufai

    Those found culpable in the Southern Kaduna killings will be prosecuted, Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has said.

    Many people have been killed in the crisis in the area.

    Describing the killings as unfortunate and condemnable, El Rudai spoke when the Council of Traditional Chiefs and Emirs, led by Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, visited him.

    Giving an outlook of his plans for the volatile part of the state, El-Rufai said “Those involved in attacking and killing people and those behind the violence are being tracked and we hope, with the arrests, they will be prosecuted.”

    He continued: “We have to go back to the dialogue and reconciliation efforts we have started in the past. We have a Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue that has been working in southern Kaduna in the past two years.

    “They have done similar work in Jos in reconciling the conflicting communities in Plateau and when they completed that assignment we invited them to come to Southern Kaduna. They facilitated the signing of Kafanchan Declaration in April 2016.

    “This is not something to talk about because I am not the first governor to receive this kind of treatment, every governor in the last 15 years in this state has been treated this way and it is part of the challenges and burden of leadership. So I am not disturbed.

    “As you know, leaders especially in any political dispensation, must learn to tolerate a lot of things because you have those who like you and those who oppose you because of political differences.

    ” That is why I did not take this personal, but what we will do is to prosecute all those responsible for the killings. And we are working hard with security agencies to ensure our citizens are safe and secure,” the governor said.

    He said the biggest assignment was for the citizens to unite and should do their best to see that they have peace and unity, which is prerequisite for progress and development.

    “Besides security challenges, we are faced with poor infrastructure, poor social amenities, poor schools, bad roads, lack of power and potable water and that is what this government is working to provide for the people.

    We have cut down the gains and monetary profits people get in government just to be able to provide democratic dividends to the people. In your domains, you can see on-going projects at various stages of completion.

    “We are also committed to demonstrating fairness and equity in the way we execute projects all over the state. I and my deputy and all those who work under this administration, have taken oaths with either the Quran or the Bible that we will be fair and just in our affairs. I am giving you my promise that we will be guided by this oath in all our dealings.”

    He said the government had adopted measures to tackle the persistent crises in the area.

    “I have met the Chief of Army Staff and he has approved the establishment of two battalions in Sothern Kaduna; one in Kafanchan and the other one in Kachia.

    “I thought the one in Kachia will be sited elsewhere because of the presence of both the Nigerian Army and Navy Schools but I know the military has a reason of putting it in Kachia.

    “Kaduna state government is looking for a temporary place in Kafanchan to provide the army a temporary settlement before a barrack will be constructed for them.”

    He said, they are starting with Kafanchan, then that of Kachia will follow.

    “We hope that this will douse the fear in the mind of people and that the military presence will build confidence and we hope that their presence will help in confronting the attackers, especially with the added surveillance aircraft.

    “We also know that this is a harvest period for farmers so we are asking the traditional rulers and community leaders to arrange with security operatives to plan how soldiers and police drafted in these areas will provide cover for farmers to go and harvest their crops.

    “Our royal highnesses, I want to let you know that drafting security men alone will not give us the desired peace we want, except people are ready to tolerate and embrace one another, as well as choosing the path of forgiveness and unity.”

    Alhaji Shehu Idiris said the council condemned the cycle of killings and reprisals in parts of southern Kaduna  describing them as senseless and inhuman.

    The council appealed to security agencies and government to urgently tackle hate speech, divisive rhetoric and incitement.

    “Killings and counter killings are senseless and ungodly; they are not solution to any problem.  It is quite disheartening and worrisome. We must work hard against these threats to our peace and unity,” the leader of the delegation said.

  • NOSCEF sues for peace in Southern Kaduna

    The Christian Elders Forum of Northern States (NOSCEF) has called on government officials and influential Nigerians not to further fuel the ongoing Southern Kaduna killings with their utterances.
    The body, in a statement by its national chairman, Elder Olaiya Phillips and secretary, Patrick Ambut, cautioned all Nigerians “to moderate our language so as not to deepen the fault lines that have brought us to this precipe.”
    NOSCEF lamented the needless destruction of lives and property in the affected communities, calling on the warring parties to sheathe their swords.
    It said: “If new gaping wounds are opened and allowed to fester, we are merely preparing the ground for future descent into darkness that will serve no one well.”
    The body called on parties in the crisis to embrace peace, saying “the savagery that accompanied these latest incidents is a warning of what could happen if we do not gird our loins in pursuit of lasting peaceful solutions.”
    It called on government to provide camps for the over 30,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as well as offer them relief materials to mitigate their suffering.
    According to NOSCEF, all stakeholders must “redirect the narrative of northern Nigeria towards rebirth of values that powered an independent Nigeria; rather than leaving the road clear for those that would hijack our story while it is still unfolding.”

  • Southern Kaduna: Set back for peace as hoodlums attack Emir

    • 3 killed in Tuesday night attack

    There was set back for the efforts to restore peace in the southern part of Kaduna State within the week as three persons were reported killed in a fresh violence, while the Emir of Jema’a, Alhaji  Muhammad Isa Muhammad’s convoy was attacked by hoodlums.

    Meanwhile, the Muslim community from Kafanchan has come out to condemn the alleged denial of the Emir’s attack by the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), demanding the investigation into the Emir’s convoy attack.

    Saturday Nation recalled that three people were reported killed and several others injured at Samaru-Kataf, in Zango Kataf Local Government Area Kaduna State on Tuesday.

    Violence had erupted at about 8:00pm on Tuesday night at Samarun Kataf, few hours after the state security council had relaxed curfew on the area to 11 hours.

    An eyewitness account had it that the attack occurred around 9:30 p.m. at a beer parlour close to Samarun Kataf market.

    According to the eyewitness who identified himself as Musa Israel, “We heard several gunshots from the direction of a beer parlour close to the market, we at first ran away from the area, but we later realised that three people were killed and their corpses were taken to General Hospital. Many other people were injured while running for their dear lives,” Israel said.

    The Kaduna Police Command PRO, Aliyu Usman, confirmed the incident but could not confirm the casualty.

    Meanwhile, the government had restored a 24-hour curfew on the local government shortly after the violence.

    A statement by the state government said, “The restoration of the curfew follows renewed security threats in Samaru-Kataf where the market was attacked by hoodlums. Security forces have taken steps to restore calm and vigorously enforce the curfew.”

    On the attack on Emir of Jema’a, Saturday Nation gathered that the attackers destroyed three vehicles including the pilot car while the Emir was returning to Kafanchan from the weekly security council meeting at the Government House in Kaduna.

    The Ciroma of Jema’a Emirate, Alhaji Kabiru Tanko, who escaped by the whiskers told newsmen in Kafanchan that, they were attacked around 8:00pm at Samaru Kataf after attending a meeting with the governor.

    According to the Chief, “when we reach Samaru Kataf, some armed youths surrounded us with all kind of weapons and started attacking our convoy. We immediately turned back to Kachia for our safety”, he said.

    The Ciroma commended Governor El-Rufai’s administration and the federal government for deploying security personnel in Southern Kaduna.

    He tasked the government to fully investigate the Southern Kaduna crises holistically, adding that the people behind the crises should be punished without fear or favour.

    He also called on both Muslims and Christians in the state to embrace peace, as all religions teach peace, in order to move the state forward.

    Meanwhile, the Jema’a Emirate yesterday addressed a world press conference calling on the ‎security agencies to investigate the attack on the convoy of the Emir of Jema’a, Alhaji Muhammad Isah Muhammad.

    The emirate also berated the Southern Kaduna people’s Union (SOKAPU) executives for denying that there was an attack on the Emir on the Hausa service of BBC.

    Deputy Chief Imam of the Emirate, Alhaji Muhammad Kabir Kassim also faulted SOKAPU ‎for not making a call to the emir or pay a visit to him over the attack.

    Similarly, the umbrella body of the Fulani community, Miyyeti Allah Cattle Breakers Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has threatened to sue the Vanguard Newspapers and it’s Kaduna State Correspondent over report alleged to be concocted and malicious.

    MACBAN at a joint press conference addressed yesterday by the National Headquarters, Kaduna State Chapter and Zone 3 Chapter, said the decision to seek legal action against the newspaper and it’s Kaduna State correspondent was sequel upon what it termed malicious and provocative article circulated by some media in which it was claimed that MACBAN will retaliate on attacks on its members in Southern Kaduna.

    Ibrahim Abdullahi (Assistant Nationa‎l Secretary General), Haruna Usman Tugga (State Chairman), Musa Mohammed Gambo (State. Secretary) and Abdullamid Musa (Zonal Chairman, Zone 3) who jointly addressed the press said, at no time did MACBAN issued such ‘irresponsible’ article to any media outlet.

    “MACBAN as a peace loving Association which has contributed immensely to the peace and reconciliation efforts not only in Southern Kaduna but also throughout the nation in general, will never decent so low as to advocate for the crisis by way of supporting reprisal attacks on innocent people under any pretext.

    “It is on record that MACBAN has contributed immensely not only in reaching out to all the victims of the 2011 post-election violence and all other subsequent crisis in Southern Kaduna both within and outside the country.

    “MACBAN wish to strongly and in an unequivocal terms, condemned this article and its authors and also called on the general public to disregard such irresponsible article.

    “We want to strongly warn those behind this provocative article in the interest of peace to desist from using our good name to create mischief in the society. We do hereby call on the security agencies to investigate this faceless undesirable element that are behind this write-up in order to bring them to book.

    “MACBAN would continue to reach out to all critical stakeholders and other individuals and groups with the view to working together to insure total reconciliation between these communities that have been co-existed peacefully together for many decades.

    “We wish to condemn a Concocted story by Kaduna State Correspondent of Vanguard Newspapers in 2016 during Godogodo attacks that our Chairman said Fulani have claimed responsibility for the attacks.

    “Our Chairman did not talk with him and we challenged him to provide evidence or retract that fake statements attributed to our Chairman and apologize our great Association or may face a legal action.

    “We call on our members nationwide and in particular those affected by the crisis in Southern Kaduna to disregard this article and always remain peaceful law abiding. We call on everyone to support the Federal Government, Kaduna State Government and all the security agencies in their efforts to return peace and normalcy to the area,” they said.

  • 3 feared dead in fresh Southern Kaduna violence

    Three people have been reported killed and several others injured in a fresh unrest at Samaru-Kataf, in Zango Kataf Local Government Area Kaduna State.

    The Emir of Jema’a (Kafanchan), Alhaji Muhammad Isa Muhammad II was also attacked by hoodlums same Tuesday night at Samaru-Kataf, destroying three cars in his convoy.

    The Nation gathered that violence erupted at about 8pm on Tuesday night at Samarun Kataf, few hours after the state security council had relaxed curfew on the area to 11 hours.

    An eye witness account had it that the attack occurred around 9:30 p.m. at a beer parlour close to Samarun Kataf market.

    According to the eyewitness who identified himself as Musa Israel, “We heard several gunshots from the direction of a beer parlour close to the market. We at first ran away from the area, but we later realised that, three people were killed and their corpses were taken to General Hospital.

    “Many other people were injured while running for their dear lives,” Israel said.

    The Kaduna Police Command PRO, Aliyu Usman confirmed the incident but could not confirm the casualty.

    Meanwhile, the government had restored a 24-hour curfew on the local government shortly after the violence.

    A statement by the state government said, “The restoration of the curfew follows renewed security threats in Samaru-Kataf where the market was attacked by hoodlums. Security forces have taken steps to restore calm and vigorously enforce the curfew”.

    On the attack on Emir of Jema’a, The Nation gathered that the attackers destroyed three vehicles including the pilot car while the Emir was returning to Kafanchan from the weekly security council meeting at the Government House in Kaduna.

    The Ciroma of Jema’a Emirate, Alhaji Kabiru Tanko, who escaped by the whiskers told newsmen in Kafanchan that they were attacked around 8:00pm at Samaru Kataf after attending a meeting with the governor.

    According to the Chief, “when we reached Samaru Kataf, some armed youths surrounded us with all kind of weapons and started attacking our convoy. We immediately turned back to Kachia for our safety,” he said.

    The Ciroma commended Governor El-Rufai’s administration and the federal government for deploying security personnel in Southern Kaduna.

    He tasked the government to fully investigate the Southern Kaduna crises holistically, adding that the people behind the crises should be punished without fear or favour.

  • Three feared dead in fresh Southern Kaduna violence

    • as hoodlums attacked Emir’s convoy

    Three people have been reported killed and several others injured in a fresh unrest at Samaru-Kataf, in Zango Kataf Local Government Area Kaduna State.

    This was also as the Emir of Jema’a (Kafanchan), Alhaji Muhammad Isa Muhammad II was attacked by hoodlums same Tuesday night at Samaru-Kataf, destroying three cars in his convoy.

    The Nation gathered that violence erupted at about 8:00pm on Tuesday night at Samarun Kataf, few hours after the state security council hSouthern Kadunaad relaxed curfew on the area to 11 hours.

    An eyewitness account had it that the attack occurred around 9:30 p.m. at a beer parlour close to Samarun Kataf market.

    According to the eye witness who identified himself as Musa Israel, “We heard several gunshots from the direction of a beer parlour close to the market, we at first ran away from the area, but we later realised that three people were killed and their corpses were taken to General Hospital.

    “Many other people were injured while running for their dear lives”, Israel said.

    The Kaduna Police Command PRO, Aliyu Usman, confirmed the incident but could not confirm the casualty.

    Meanwhile, the government had restored a 24-hour curfew on the local government shortly after the violence.

    A statement by the state government said, “The restoration of the curfew follows renewed security threats in Samaru-Kataf where the market was attacked by hoodlums. Security forces have taken steps to restore calm and vigorously enforce the curfew”.

    On the attack on Emir of Jema’a, The Nation gathered that the attackers destroyed three vehicles including the pilot car while the Emir was returning to Kafanchan from the weekly security council meeting at the Government House in Kaduna.

    The Ciroma of Jema’a Emirate, Alhaji Kabiru Tanko, who escaped by the whiskers told newsmen in Kafanchan that, they were attacked around 8:00pm at Samaru Kataf after attending a meeting with the governor.

    According to the Chief, “when we reach Samaru Kataf, some armed youths surrounded us with all kind of weapons and started attacking our convoy. We immediately turned back to Kachia for our safety”, he said.

    The Ciroma commended Governor El-Rufai’s administration and the federal government for deploying security personnel in Southern Kaduna.

    He tasked the government to fully investigate the Southern Kaduna crises holistically, adding that the people behind the crises should be punished without fear or favour.

    He also called on both Muslims and Christians in the state to embrace peace, as all religions teach peace, in order to move the state forward.

  • 20,000 people unjustly killed in Kaduna since 1980 -El-Rufai

    20,000 people unjustly killed in Kaduna since 1980 -El-Rufai

    Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, said on Tuesday that no fewer than 20,000 lives had been lost to the various crises that rocked the state since 1980.

    Governor El-Rufai stated this when he received a delegation of the Nigerian Bar Association who paid him a visit at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna.

    The delegation was led by the President, NBA, Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud (SAN), first Vice President, Caleb Dajan, National Executive members and other prominent lawyers in the state.

    Addressing the NBA delegation, El-Rufai said, apart from the Justice Benedict Okadigbo Tribunal on the Zango-Kataf Religious Crisis, no government had prosecuted anybody over their involvements in the various crises in the state.

    According to him, “the administration of former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida established the Benedict Okadigbo Tribunal to try all those that were implicated in the 1992 Zango-Kataf crisis in which Babangida himself, described as hundreds of lives perished and property worth million of Naira destroyed  in that crisis”.

    El-Rufai, however, vowed to prosecute all those found to be behind the recent killings in the three local governments of Jema’a, Zango-Kataf and Kaura, in the southern part of the state.

    He said a number of arrests have been made and more people in connection with the crisis would soon be picked.

    He said, there was no need of setting up of any Commission of Inquiry over the Southern Kaduna crisis: “but we need to enforce the rule of law in the state. I read all the reports which recommended the way out but there is no single person ever prosecuted to the later. “

    He noted that those encouraging the crisis should be mindful that there are consequences for their actions.

     “Since 1980, about 10,000 to 20,000 were killed in Kaduna State during crisis and government did not prosecute anybody. We are determined to end the killings in Kaduna. Henceforth, the law will fully apply without fear or favour. We have made some arrests and you will be shocked to see the calibre of perpetrators that we are going to arrest and prosecute. No matter highly the person is we will bring him or her to face the full wrath of the law to serve as deterrent to others whom may want to sponsor crisis.

    “Some of the things you are hearing are not true. Some people have made up their minds to spread hatred and falsehood especially in the media. We thank you for your visit to Kaduna. Don’t stop at Kafanchan, go to communities to see things for yourself and also interact with all the stakeholders to have correct and accurate facts. By doing so,  your delegation will know the truth. Let me correct this impression, it is not the entire Southern Kaduna that is under attacks, we have problem in three local government areas now under control”, he said.

    Earlier, the NBA President said in his remarks that he led the delegation to express their concern and show solidarity with state over the killings in Southern Kaduna.

    Mahmud, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, expressed grave concern over the continued attacks especially in the southern part of the state.

    He said, “the objective of our visit this morning is a much more sober issue of some of the recent happenings in some of the local governments in the south of the state.