Killings: Middle Belt Forum Calls for State of Emergency in Kaduna

Says el-Rufai has failed to provide security

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

Following the crisis that claimed over 100 lives in Kaduna, a group, the Middle Belt Forum, yesterday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency in Kaduna State.

This coming as the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has deployed special forces and helicopters in the state in a bid to end “the spate of senseless killings” in the state.

The forum said Governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed el-Rufai, has failed to provide security in the state.

The group also expressed reservations over the inability of the security agencies to secure the release of a traditional ruler in the state, Agom Adara, His Royal Highness, Dr. Maiwada Raphael Galadima, who was abducted on October 19, 2018.

“The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) is gravely worried at the deplorable security situation in Kaduna State that has resulted in the death of many people. As anxieties mount across the various parts of the state, we wish to express our apprehensions over likely reactions from other states and called on relevant security agencies to quickly resolve the problem. We are also worried over the inability of security agencies to ensure the safe return of the abducted Agom Adara, His Royal Highness, Dr Maiwada Raphael Galadima, who was abducted on Friday, October 19, 2018.

“Taking into cognisance the fragile peace that has characterised the Kaduna State, and the alleged show of partiality by the State Government in tackling the internecine crisis that has led to the loss lives, we make haste to call on the Federal Government to take full control of the situation in Kaduna state in order to avert further breakdown of law and order”, the forum said.

The group, in a statement issued in Abuja said “Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai is seen by many as incapable of tackling the present insecurity, as he is alleged to be a part of the crisis. We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to impose a State of Emergency on Kaduna State in order to full take control of the situation.

“For now, Kaduna has remained an unsecured state, while tempers are flaring in other parts of the state over the ongoing crisis. With the apparatus of state government on its knees, we are calling on the Federal Government to take full control of the situation, as further escalation could threaten peace in not only the state but Nigeria.

“MBF specifically calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to order an investigation into the recent Kasuwan Magani massacre that led to the deaths of no fewer than 100 persons and to ensure that those
found culpable are brought to justice.

We are aware of a narrative being sponsored by some persons that the Kasuwan Magani mayhem was premised on religion but we make haste to add here that the killings was done by criminals who have continued to make lives difficult with the sole aim of pursuing a dubious agenda that is solely aimed at subjugating the people.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force said the personnel and the helicopter deployed in Kaduna would join others already on ground and conducting aerial patrol.

“The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) yesterday, October 28, 2018, deployed a detachment of Special Forces personnel to Kaduna in support of Internal Security operations in the State. The detachment will join other NAF personnel in Kaduna and other security agencies to ensure that the spate of senseless killings in some parts of the State is brought to a complete end and normalcy expeditiously restored. The deployment is in addition to the earlier deployment of 2 helicopters and a DA-42 Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft on 22 October 2018, which have since been conducting aerial patrols over flash points in the State, NAF said in a statement.