Declare State Of Emergency In Southern Kaduna – House Of Rep Member Urges Buhari
SAN FRANCISCO, October 18, (THEWILL) – A member of the House of Representatives, Barr. Sunday Mashall Katung has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to a declare state of emergency in Southern Kaduna in order to end the unrest and incessant killings in the region.
Katung, who represents Zangon Kataf/Jaba Federal constituency, in a statement made available to newsmen in Kaduna, on Tuesday, urged the President to invoke his constitutional powers in Section 14(2)(b), which states that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”.
He warned that if the Federal government fails to act, the people of the region will be left with no option than to resort to self- help which will further exacerbate an already inflamed situation as he called for the establishment of a military formation in Jema'a local government with the aim of stopping the invasion of terrorists into the helpless communities.
“Southern Kaduna people will no longer tolerate this deliberate plans to annihilate its defenceless people with both the federal and State governments doing next to nothing,” he said.
“Enough of these killings. Our communities have concurrently been attacked aggressively claiming innocent lives mostly women and children, crops worth millions of naira have been destroyed by herdsmen and a number of houses have been burnt down.
“This scorched -earth policy must be brought to an end with immediate effect and we demand that all those found culpable be arraigned before the courts in the spirit of justice and equity. A situation where innocent citizens are attacked maimed, killed and their properties taken over with security agents watching without genuine intervention gives cause for concern.
“Ultimately Surviving Victims are left to fend for themselves without any form of support from the Government. As it is, they lack basic necessities to ameliorate their suffering and many more are living under harrowing conditions arising from previous attacks.
“What is worrisome here is that these killings have continued unabatedly for almost five months with no commitment from either the State or the Federal governments to stop these unwarranted and provoking attacks.
“The government should not take the patience of our people to mean cowardice. And the failure of the government to stop these killings will mean an endorsement of evil on the defenceless people.”
In the same vein, the Senator representing Southern Kaduna senatorial district, Danjuma La'ah, has described the invasion by alleged herdsmen in Jema'a Local Government Area, LGA, as an unforgivable crime saying the perpetrators must not be allowed to go scot-free.
“I heard what was happening since last Saturday evening, but I was stopped from rushing down here. I want to say that what I have seen here is huge crime. It is an unforgivable crime against the people of Godogodo, Southern Kaduna and humanity,” he said in a statement.
“No group of persons must be allowed to escape with this impunity. My heart bleeds for you and I shall take up upon myself to ensure that the relevant Senate Committee do the needed to bring peace, succour and justice to the people of Godogodo.
“My investigation shows that there were very few soldiers and police here compared to the size of the town and the danger looming over it. I'm told that the invaders had far superior weapons. Again, some of the soldiers have been here for months without allowances and basic welfare. There is no way they can be at their best in these situations.
“I appeal to you my people, to keep your peaceful nature and not take the law into your hands. But you also have a responsibility to defend your lives and your property next time they come.”
Story by Oputah David