By Gabriel Udeh, Kaduna
Atyap Community Development Association (ACDA) has accused some people in community in Zango Urban Ward in Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Southern part of kaduna State of providing cover to bandits terrorizing and attacking communities around the area.
The association which expressed the concerns over reports that some unpatriotic elements in Zango Urban Ward in Zango Kataf Local Government Area are providing cover to bandits attacking communities around the area, urging security agencies to thoroughly investigate the occurrence.
ACDA, in a statement in Kaduna by its President Worldwide, Comrade Dr. Silas Adamu, said the people aiding the bandits are frustrating peace efforts initiated by their revered traditional ruler, Agwatyap, Sir Dominic Yahaya, who’s being supported by the association.
“While we were beginning to make impressive progress in the peace and reconciliation process between the Atyap and our Hausa and Fulani brothers and sisters, we are saddened that some unpatriotic elements are bent on taking us through the dark paths of suspicion and blood letting by aiding bandits to make Zango Urban their hideout.
“We gathered that the attack on February 28 at Kakwa village in our community, where 5 persons died and four persons were maimed and are still receiving treatment, was allegedly carried out by bandits who hid in Zango Urban, struck and went back to hide inside same area,” it said.
ACDA commended security agencies for subsequent arrest of some of the suspected attackers, who were said to have blood stains on their clothes when they were nabbed.
“We commend security agencies for promptly arresting the suspects, while appealing to them to be more proactive in preventing such attacks through intelligence gathering.
“We also commend the Kaduna State Government and the Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Hon. Samuel Aruwan for steps taken towards preventing attacks on our communities.
“We also hail the position of the government of Kaduna State for declaring all forms of criminalities perpetrated by bandits as enemies of the people as expressed by the Commissioner at the Para-Mallam Peace Round Table in Kafanchan on Tuesday 2nd March 2021”, he said, and urged government to deal with the situation decisively in order to protect lives and property of citizens of the state.
ACDA called on all leaders of the three ethnic groups to show more genuine commitment to the peace efforts by nipping areas of suspicion and lead their people towards genuine peace efforts while urging all residents of Atyap land to be vigilant and report any suspicious movements to security agencies.
“To all residents of Atyap land, we must all join hands to put the enemies of peace to shame by exposing all trouble makers and merchants of conflict to security agencies,” it added.
The statement also called on those aiding bandits to desist from such as there cannot be any meaningful Development without peace.
ACDA added that in view of the respect accorded the Agwatyap’s peace efforts, it had since set up a Peace and Reconciliation Committee, appealing to all stakeholders to consolidate the gains already made.
