Governor el-Rufai Must Be Impartial To Build Trust Among Citizens – SOKAPU

BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) on Thursday stressed the need for the Governor Nasir el-Rufai-led government in Kaduna State must, at all times, show itself as impartial, build trust among its citizens and work for the good of all at all times.

This is just as it described the enforcement of the curfew imposed by the state government in Kaduna metropolis and environs as discriminatory and aimed at punishing a particular people and area.

SOKAPU noted that while some people living in the same metropolis were allowed limited time to move freely and access basic items and foodstuff, others were not granted the same rights.

It said that even though the curfew has now been relaxed, it still insist that such shouldn’t have happened.

The Union particularly expressed concern at what it described as “the suspicious” incidents occurring around traditional institutions in the state, saying that within a space of 11 months: the Etum Numana was assassinated; the Agom Akulu was kidnapped and now the Agom Adara was brutally kidnapped and some of his aides killed.

In a statement by the National Public Relations Officer, Mr Yakubu Kuzamani, SOKAPU expressed pains over the security challenges plaguing some parts of Kaduna State, adding that considering what happened in the state on Thursday October 18, 2018 in Kasuwan Magani, the demon of destruction seemingly wanting to take root in the state, must be uprooted.

The statement further states; “The carnage at Kasuwan Magani that led to the death of many is unfortunate. We commiserate with families of the dead and the injured and pray to God for quick healing. We are also sad with the happening within the metropolis on Sunday 21st.

“We condemn in unequivocal terms the abduction of the Agom Adara, His Royal Highness, Dr Maiwada Galadima on October 19, 2018 and we call on security agencies to ensure his safe return from his captors. In the midst of a dubious reform in the traditional institutions this is sure to raise some suspicions.

“We make a passionate appeal on the Government to set up an impartial probe panel to investigate the Kasuwan Magani massacre that led to scores of deaths and fish out the instigators of the crisis. We are aware that bereaved families are yet to receive corpses for decent burials. We urge relevant security agencies to ensure release of these corpses to their relatives for proper burial according to each person’s faith.”

SOKAPU urged the state government to take all available measures to protect and defend traditional institutions, as well as all other citizens of the state just as it appealed to citizens in the state to imbibe patience and not take the law into their hands in all circumstances.

The body assured that it is reaching out to relevant agencies and groups to help see to the quick resolutions of the crisis that has thrown a cloud of uncertainties over the fragile peace in the state.

SOKAPU equally urged the administration of Governor el-Rufai to ensure that NEMA/SEMA, with all urgency, decisively intervene to settle the bills of all those in hospital; provide relief materials and reconstruct structures destroyed and generally rehabilitate the victims especially the vulnerable.

It also joined well-meaning Nigerians to pray for the quick return of normalcy in Kaduna State.