Following the killing of the paramount ruler of southern Kaduna’s largest ethnic group, the Agom Adara, Dr. Maiwada Galadima, the Kaduna State Government has reinstated a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna metropolis and environs, Kasuwan Magani, Kajuru, Kateri and Kachia.
The Agom Adara was attacked and kidnapped last week Friday along with his wife who was released the next day. His Police escort, driver and three others were killed in the attack before his kidnap was effected.
The re-imposed curfew takes effect from today, Friday, 26th October, and will remain in force until further notice, the government said.
Calm was just returning to Kaduna state after the 24 hours curfew imposed on Sunday. The government carried out a phased review from the 24 hours to a dusk to dawn one before this Friday’s announcement of the death of the paramount ruler.
It is believed that nearly a hundred persons were killed between last week Thursday and last Monday, though the Police and the State Emergency Management Agency put out a combined figure of 78.
A disagreement over a stolen cow at the Kasuwan Magani town market in Kajuru council snowballed into the ethno-religious conflict that is now spiralling out of control.
Many, including Senators, have questioned the role of the state government, while others, like Adara Development Association have accused the security agencies and state government of taking sides with the minority Hausa population in southern Kaduna.
A similar crisis last February is said to have been poorly mismanaged giving rise to the present one.
But in its statement re-imposing the 24 hours curfew, spokesman to the state governor, Samuel Aruwan, explained, “This is a necessary step to help maintain peace as we mourn the death of HRH Agom Adara, who we lost in the early hours of today to the criminals who abducted him last week.
“The Kaduna State Government calls for calm in all our communities. The criminal elements who perpetrated this crime should not be allowed to divide us.
“This is a struggle between good, decent, law-abiding people trying to uphold the peace and criminals who want to divide and destroy. It is not a struggle between religious or ethnic groups. Let no criminal find succour in faith or tribe.
“Let us unite against every criminal activity. Let us stand together as human beings who have a right to live in peace.”