By Luka Binniyat
We wish to draw your attention to the plight of our people who have been abandoned by both the Federal government and Kaduna State government after they have suffered unprovoked violence and the destruction of their communities in the hands of armed Fulani militia, some who they can identify in series of attacks that bear all the signs of genocide in the past three years.
We are talking about scores of thousands of our displaced members spread in some of the 12 Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna.
For the second year running, large areas of the 26,000kmsq that made up Southern Kaduna have been ‘captured’ and are now in full control of armed Fulani herdsmen, as identified by surviving victims.
Our estimation is that these ‘captured’ areas make many LGAs in a state like Abia (6,320kmsq). These contain some of the most fertile, prestige farmlands of Southern Kaduna. The rains are about to start and the hope of these halpless victims returning to their homes and start rebuilding them in preparation for the farming season seems bleak. In the same manner, thousands of their children have been out of school, some for over three years with government not making any remedial effort to assist them.
In the IDP camps where some have managed to relocate, they live in sub-huma conditions, barely able to feed, without sanitation and medications. This is an indictment of Government as there is no excuse can be given why citizens should be so forsaken by those they voted to protect them and make their welfare and security as basic rights. All men and women of conscience should also also show interest in these displaced people who can be found in various IDP camps in Chikun, Zangon Kataf and Kajuru LGA, and in some areas bordering Kaduna State and Niger State, and some areas of Kaduna State bordering western part of plateau state
Today, there are at least 1004 communities that have been displaced in Southern Kaduna after the natives have been attacked and several persons killed. All churches and schools in affected areas have also been burnt, some dating back to 2018.
And the numbers of displaced villages are increasing by the day especially in Gbagyi villages of Chikun LGA. Below are some of the affected communities according to LGA and Wards.
KACHIA LGA (2020)
(i) Doka
Chikwale, Idum, Muruchi, Kwasau Legede, Kafeyawa, Amale, Chikwale, Unguwan Pa, Gidan Sambo, Gidan Para, Unguwan Muruchi, Unguwan Dutse, Baware kasa, Gidan Duna, Sabon Gida Duna, Opase, Gidan Sunday, Gidan Yarima, Gidan Auta, Bakin Garma, Gidan Ladan, Maigari, Gidan Wakili, Pago, Oshowodo, Gidan Peter.
(ii) Ankuwa Ward
Ungwan pah
(iii) Bishini Ward
Koron Kurmin iya, Ungwan Gwari KurminIya
(iv) Kateri Ward
Rishi
Numbers of communities displaced in Kachia LGA = 32 Communities from 4 Wards.
2 Kajuru LGA
(i) Kallah Ward
Kihoro-Libere, Bakin Kogi, Umiko,Magunguna, Idazo, Ungwan , Galadima, Ungwan Guza, Etiss, Ungwan Ma’aji, Ungwan Dantata, Ungwan Araha 1 & 2, Ungwan Goshi, Ungwan Shaban, Ungwan Jibo, Ungwan Maijama’a, Ungwan Sako, Ungwan Maidoki, Ungwan Masaba
(ii) Tantatu Ward
Ungwan Makware
(iii) Idon Ward
Edanu, Ungwan Mudi, Ungwan Rana, Ifele, Ungwan Gora
Number of Displaced Communities from Kajuru LGA = 24 from 3 wards
CHIKUN LGA (2019-2020)
(i) Kunai Ward
Kudo (Dau), Sunusi Dnakwala, Galu, Aguyita, Galuko, Galiwyi, Atopi, Onkoru, Anguwan, Badole, Manini, Hayin Damisa, Anguwan Nyako, Badimi, Gnashi, Sarari , Giji, Dnapagbe, Badimi, Shelbula, Rafin yashi, Sabongida, Rafinyashi, Anguwan, Amos Manini, Hayin Dakachi Manini, Madalla, Abon, Kawuya
(ii) Gayam Ward in Birnin
Gwari LGA Bordering Kunai in Chikun LGA
Rumanan Gbagyi, Rumanan Hausa, Malamo, Labi, Hayin Kozo, Muya, Shuwaka, Polwaya, Kaguru, Kasko, Nasarawa Kaguru, Dabbara Kaguru
Number of Displaced and occupied communities = 45
KAURU LGA
Baduru ward
i Jiri
Pari ward
i Kiziti
Kamaru Ward
i Kikpene
Number of Displaced and Occupied communities = 3
There are at least 50,000 IDPs living in several camps in Southern Kaduna or with relations in and out of Southern Kaduna all because their villages are either too unsafe to return to or have been taken over by Fulani militia.
It should also be noted that governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna, nor his deputy have never visited any of the IDPs camps or any attacked community in Southern Kaduna. Kaduna State government has not given these people any form of palliatives as if it was at war with the victims. There is no sympathy or empathy from both the Federal and State government.
Yet, Governor Nasirl el-Rufai had last month, officially acknowledged that 973 people were killed in Kaduna state in 2020 alone by ‘bandits’, the bulk of which come from Southern Kaduna communities, especially the Gbagi and Adara of Chikun and Kajru LGA.
This lack of concern for these victims is raising questions on whether they happen to be people of different faith and ethnicity with the governor. Because in March, 2nd, 2020, el-Rufai tendered a well publicised apology to the residents of some villages in Igabi, Giwa and Birnin Gwari when he visited them after they were attacked by bandits. He was there to see the destruction. But never to Southern Kaduna.
We are still appealing to him and the Federal Government to ensure the return of this IDPs, by chasing out the criminals occupying their ancestral lands and bringing the brigands to justice.
Government should also show some compassion and assists these law abiding citizens in the meantime with food, medication and clothes.
The IDPs can be found in Agwam Bije, Buyaya, Unguwan Sunday, Gwagwada, in Chikun LGA.
In Kajuru, they can be found in Rimau, Kallah and Gefe.
We are also calling the International Community, CSOs, NGOs and men and women of conscience and Goodwill, to come to the assistance of these people.
▪︎ Binniyat is SOKAPU Spokesman