With blistering comments, two indigenes of Kaduna State: one, the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State Chapter; and the other, a public commentator, Rev. Polycarp Gbaja have come down hard on the Federal and State governments for the killings and kidnappings in two local government areas that led to the imposition of a 24-hour curfew there.
Said Gbaja in a post: “Within 3 days. 46 people from Agunu ward abducted from Agunu ward in Kachia Local Government in Thursday 17.03.22. Then the massacre in Kagoro on Sunday 20.03.22.
“The cold lack of outrage is baffling.
The total lack of concern and apparent ineptitude of our security agencies on ascertained locations of constant monthly massacres in over a decade is in excusable as it has become shameful, criminal negligence, and abandonment of defenceless Nigerian citizens against the onslaught of known terrorists.
“I repeat what I have said again and again…
Nigeria does not lack intelligence or capacity in its combined security machinery. Its political leaders have lacked the political will to do the needful, in a nation of over 200 million to defend its citizens being mowed and brutally killed, raped, abducted and traumatised beyond imagination every week for a whole decade.
“But 40,000 could mobilised and drafted to a single state for elections at once? Haba!!!
“Shame on the Kaduna State Government.
Shame on the Federal Government. Shame on the Kaduna House of Assembly. Shame on NASS – Senate & House Of Reps.
“Your primary duty and mandate is securing life and property of all Nigerian citizens. Your serial failure to do so has become exasperating, unjust, and indefensible.
“Shame on all leaders of Government, thought, community, industry, organisations and institutions that have refused to express sustained outrage and confront our hard hearted, cowardly and self seeking political leaders, under whose watch its citizens are daily traumatised across the nation, especially the epicenters of Southern Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto States, among others.
“It is no rocket science. This madness can be stopped, should be stopped, must be stopped now!
For the state chairman of CAN, Rev John Joseph Hayab, the continued killings, kidnappings, banditry, is sad and grieving.
In a statement, he alleged that the killings were going without any substantial action by the Government and security forces.
“One only needs to see how human beings are killed and roasted by bandits who attacked Kagoro to conclude that this is one loss too many.
“How long will this evil continue and when will our leaders act dutifully?
“Kaduna State citizens are tired of Government’s rhetorical responses without concrete action taken to protect lives and property.
“Accordingly, we want to hear and see the killers and kidnappers arrested as the government’s usual media condemnation whenever there is havoc is not good enough.
“Meanwhile, we appeal to citizens to also wake up and do the needful, protecting their lives and community.
“When a government fails to protect you, you ought to find a means of defending yourself.
“For the records, Kaduna State has lost several lives in the past four years while the leaders scarcely show empathy or concern for the victims seeing that the government’s response is usually in the media.
“Sadly, the dead cannot read nor listen to the news. Then of what use is media condemnation?
“CAN, therefore, calls on the Kaduna State Government to swallow her pride and accept that she has failed the people, genuinely seeking help to immediately halt the wanton killings, kidnappings, and terrorist activities going on in the state.
“Governor El-Rufai and his team should focus on the fight to salvage the state so that he will be remembered for good when he leaves office.
Recall that the Kaduna State Government on Monday declared 24-hour curfew in Jema’a and Kaura Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, made the announcement in a statement issued in Kaduna.
Aruwan said following advice from security agencies, the Kaduna State Government declared the curfew in Jema’a and Kaura Local Government Areas with immediate effect.
“This is to assist the security agencies to stabilise the situation in the areas, save lives and property and enable the restoration of law and order,’’ he said.
He added that security agencies have full authorisation to enforce the curfew.
“Government appeals to all residents of Jema’a and Kaura LGAs to cooperate with the security agencies in the urgent task of restoring peace and upholding law and order.
“Government condemns the violence and all acts of lawlessness that have occurred in the area, “he said.
The commissioner said further updates would be issued when necessary.