. . . CP confirms death of two officers, relocates to Kafanchan
. . . SOKAPU kicks as el-Rufai slams 24hre curfew
The death toll arising from the invasion of three villages in Kaura and one in Jema’a Local Government Areas, LGAs, in the Southern part of Kaduna state by alleged armed herdsmen has risen from 21 to 26 yesterday morning after the Atakad Development Association (ADA) confirmed the recovery of four more corpses and the death of another victim.
Also, Kaduna State Police Commissioner, Mr. Agyole Abeh, yesterday confirmed that he lost two of his men in Sunday evening’s attack on Bakin Kogo village, in Jema’a LGA, saying he had relocated to Kafanchan to coordinate the police in ensuring peace and security in the troubled area.
Meanwhile, the Southern Kaduna peoples Union, SOKAPU has faulted the 24 hours curfew imposed over the two LGAs, saying that innocent natives have suffered both death and hunger than peace and security under such total curfew in the past.
Atakad: Five more death, 10,000 displaced.
The Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Atakad Development Association, (ADA) Enoch Andong spoke told our correspondent in Kaduna on the update on the tragedy that struck Mifi, Ashim and Zilan, all under Atakad Chiefdom, in Kaura LGA.
He said: “I want to tell you that we have sadly have more recorded deaths from the Fulani invasion last Monday morning. You know that Zilan is high up above the hill. Yesterday we carried out a search until late in the evening.
We found Mrs. Josephine Francis, 35, almost burnt to death. She had escaped from the village and hid in the grass. The attackers then set the grass ablaze and left. She was taken to Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH and was pronounced death today (Tuesday). Her son, Nathaniel Francis, just 5, was also killed. We also found his corpse yesterday late in the evening. We also recovered the corpse of Thanko Kuliat, 46. Amos Yashim 67 and Adamu Kambai, 4.
“The husband of late Josephine, Francis is also in JUTH now and we are asking for prayers because his condition is not good at all.
“The body of the Fulani man that was shot and killed by the Nigeria Army in Ashim, when the armed herdsmen invaded is still at the Kaura Police Station. We thank the soldiers for coming just on time to Ashim. More lives could have been lost.
“But Zilan was not lucky. The entire village of more than 100 homes was totally razed down. There is not a single human being today there. I doubt if that village would ever recover.
“We have estimated that about 10,000 people from these Atakad villages may have been displaced. Mifi did not suffer arson, but in Ashim, 54 houses were burnt, including the only Catholic Church there,” he said.
Police lost two officers
On his part, Kaduna State Police Commissioner, Mr. Agyole Adeh has confirmed that two of his men have been killed in the assault on Bakin Kogi, Jema’a LGA.
Speaking to our reporter on phone the CP said: “Yes two of my men were killed in Jema’a. But the situation has been brought under control. I have already relocated to Kafanchan, as directed by the governor on Monday. I have just returned to Kaduna to brief the governor on the situation back there. But I want to assure you that we have the situation under control. From now on, I will be operating from Southern Kaduna,” he said.
El-Rufai imposes 24 hours curfew
Meanwhile, Governor Nasir el-Rufai has imposed a 24-hour curfew over the two affected LGAs.
A statement signed by his Spokesman, Samuel Aruwan yesterday afternoon reads: “The Kaduna State Security Council has imposed a 24 hour curfew in Jema’a and Kaura Local Government Areas of Kaduna State with immediate effect.
“The action became necessary to protect life and property and avoid the further breakdown of law and order in the two Local Government Areas.
“All security agencies on a Special Operation in the two Local Government Areas have been directed to ensure strict compliance.
“Only essential workers and those on humanitarian services are allowed movement after due clearance by security agencies.”
SOKAPU kicks against 24-hour curfew.
But, the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, SOKAPU yesterday faulted the imposed curfew on the two LGAs, saying it had done more harm than good in the past.
Speaking to our correspondent in Kaduna yesterday, the President of SOKAPU, Dr. Musa Kaptain Solomon said: “I want the position of SOKAPU to be clear. We are all in support of any lawful measure that would bring succor peace and security to our people. We are not against any curfew if it would make us more secure. But our experience in the past few weeks has shown that anytime a curfew was imposed, it keeps our people at home for the marauders to easily attack. It was under a curfew and the heavy presence of police that Goska, a short distance from Kafanchan was attacked last December. It was also a 24hours curfew that some youths were killed in Samaru Kataf not far from a major police check poin last January.
“The curfew in Zangon Kataf lasted for two weeks. People stayed indoors, markets and schools were shut. The victims of the violence were further punished while the killers roamed freely. It became very difficult for many to feed their households. If this latest curfew would lead to apprehending the murderers, good and fine. But if it is just to add to our suffering by being forced to stay at home, then we beg to differ,” he said.
All attempt to get any comment from Kaduna State branch Chairman of Mayetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association, MACBAN, Alh. Haruna Usman Tuga was abortive, as he refused to pick his calls
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