Kaduna govt, SOKAPU say 16 persons killed as University students kidnapped

It is not the best of times for Kaduna State as gunmen killed 16 persons in the State in the past three days, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan and the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) have said on Tuesday.

Coming on the heels of the disclosure by Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria, Professor Kabir Bala that eight of his students were among those kidnapped on Sunday afternoon on the Kaduna-Abuja Road.

A similar event took place at the Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic in Zaria where
kidnappers Saturday night stormed the official staff quarters of the school, shooting one and taking away three persons.

The xchool’s Rector, Engineer Kabir Abdullahi, said the bandits gained entrance into the school around 9pm on Saturday.

“I was in kaduna when the Chief Security Officer of the college called me and informed me about the attack.

“It is true that suspected armed bandits have kidnapped one of my staff, Engineer Bello Atiku who is the Head of Department, Computer Engineering of the school”, the rector was quoted as saying.

In Southern Kaduna, Aruwan admitted other persons were also injured in attacks in Giwa, Zangon Kataf, Igabi and Kajuru Local government areas of the state between Sunday and Tuesday.

SOKAPU, in a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Luka Binniyat said, “The dastardly murder of the District Head of Mazaki, in Atyap Chiefdom, Zangon Kataf LGA, Mr Haruna Kuye and his teenage son, Destiny Kuye stands totally condemned. It is an abhorable crime which aim is to cause communal strife, and this our people must resist.

“It was a well-planned murder by evil men who sneaked into the village and headed for his home and unleashed terror. The heartless killers also attacked his wife and daughter but they survived with injuries.
The late District head was a man of peace who cared for the wellbeing of his constituency both natives and non-natives.
We hereby send our sincere condolence to his family, Atyap Chiefdom and the entire Southern Kaduna family over this great lose.

“We are glad that Kaduna state government has issued a statement condemning the act and we hope that the killers would be found and be brought to book. We also encourage the Kaduna State government to keep giving security updates on the state. No citizen of Kaduna state should be killed by brigands and not documented for the public and posterity.

“We also want to note with sadness the murder of Albarka Adu’a, who was killed by gunmen last Sunday during a kidnap raid at Maraban Kajuru, Kajuru LGA. Adu’a was the former Village Head of Kyemara.

“SOKAPU is saddened by the spiraling wave of kidnapping and killings in the state. In Giwa and Igabi LGAs, 13 persons were killed between last Sunday and Monday in cold blood by outlaws who seemed to be making a mockery of the state.

“We send our sympathy to all affected families and pray that justice shall come their way sooner or later.

“At this point, we still call on Kaduna state government and the Federal Government to come to the assistance of the thousands of IDPs in Southern Kaduna. Most of them are living under sub-human conditions, especially children, women, the old and infirmed. In Kallah, Rimau and Geffe all in Kallah ward, Kajuru LGA, thousands of Adara IDPs are in dire need of food and medical services.

“The story is the same with Gbagyi of Chikun, who have fled their homes after Fulani militia have unleashed terror on them and occupied the communities. They can be found in the thousands in Unguwan Bijeh, Buyaya, Goning Gora, Unguwan Madaki and many Kaduna suburbs south of river kaduna.

“No citizens deserve to be so neglected and abandoned by its government after it has failed in its cardinal responsibility of securing their lives and property.
We also call on the international community, NGOs and all men and women of conscience to show interest on these unfortunate citizens.”

Aruwan disclosed that troops, in collaboration with other security agencies, were carrying out investigations and trailing the assailants adding that the governor had directed the Commissioner of Police and the Director of the Department of State Security to team up with the military to ensure diligent investigations.

Aruwan enjoined citizens to contact government with relevant information that could lead to the arrest of the assailants on 09034000060 or 08170189999, or via email: internal.security@kdsg.gov.ng.