– Middle Belt tells FG
By Gabriel Udeh, Kaduna
Middle Belt Forum (MBF) Kaduna State Chapter has called on federal government to declared full scale state of emergency in Kaduna over what it described as continue genocide operation taken place in the region.
In a statment on Wednesday in Kaduna, the forum stated that it’s constrained to once more voice out to the Government and the entire world the continued genocide operations been carried out in the Middle belt and Southern Kaduna in particular.
Signed by the secretary John Haruna, the Forum stated that it’s worried at the recent ugly situation currently rocking Southern Kaduna where hundreds of people have been kidnapped, killed, properties destroyed, households burnt, animals rustled.
“What manner of country are we, and what type of Government are we running that bandits will in their hundreds entered a community overrun it, destroyed properties, and farm land, killed and maimed innocent people including children for several hours unchanged, and we have a sitting Government that overseeing the welfare and security of people with all the relevant securities agencies working and patrolling every day throughout the state.
“What offence have we committed as people in the Middle Belt and Southern Kaduna that we are being treated this way? The situation is so bad that people are now reacting in various ways to defend themselves. “More worrisome is the fact both the President and the Governor are all human being that blood runs through their veins every day and still yet all these things are still happening without remorse and action from anywher combat the tensed atmosphere. It is disheartening and uncalled for.
“The recent abduction subsequent released of the Emir of kajuru is a ploy decore to deceived innocent Nigerians into believing that it is all around affairs. NO, IT IS NOT.
“The Kaduna State Chapter of the Middle belt Forum (MBF) is hereby declared its total and full support to the press statement released by our National President DR BITRUS POGU on 11/7/2021 asking President Muhammad Buhari to declare full State of EMMERGENCY now in Kaduna State effective immediately.
“All these are happening under the watchful eyes our Governor who is created by God, breathes through his nostril equally accountable to His supreme being and authority. infact, the situation is so bad and worrisome and a sad moment once again for the people of the Middle belt and Southern Kaduna.
“Right now, all the major entry route and points into the city of Kaduna from other part of the country have been fully taken over by the kidnappers where they continue to unleash teror on the road, harrasing everyone that ply the road”, it stated.
The forum stated “Please, take a look at the following incidents”, adding that “recently, two nurses were abducted from Idon General Hospital in Kajuru LGA of Kaduna State on 22/4/2021 and are yet to be released even after the payment of #10 million to the kidnappers.
“On 5/7/2021,the bandits launched another attack on the National Tuberculosis and leprosy center in Zaria where they abducted 10 persons including five Nurses, infants and their mother.
“On 21/5/201,about 77 members of the Libere Community in Kajuru LGA were abducted when they returned to their land after taking refuge in an internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) camp since MAY 2020.They include both Men and Women. The sum of 350 million are being demanded as ransom.
“Recently, over 120 Students of Bethel Baptist High School in Damishi village located in the out skirt of Kaduna were abducted. Those students are yet to be released.
“For the 7 days running now. These bandits popularly referred or known as Fulani herdsmen have been laying siege to several Communities in Atyap land, Zangon Kataf LGA of Southern Kaduna and left 33 persons dead in an unabated ongoing genocide and land grabbing in which 108 Southern Kaduna Communities have been displaced and taken over by since 2019.
“On Monday 12/7/2021, the Magamiya Community in Zangon Kataf was attacked around 11:00pm. The family compound of the paramount Traditional ruler of Atyap Chiefdom, Agwatyap of Atyap Chiefdom, Sir, Dominic Gambo Yahaya was attarked, several blocks of flats and rooms that make up the family compound of five house hold were looted, food items, valuables were carted away into four waiting Hilux vans, house were set a blade.
A relations of the paramount Chief Toma Tauna, 70 yes was killed by the assailants.
“They attempted to burnt down St. Pius Catholic Church in the village but with prompt reaction from other villages, the attacker retreated to another village.
“These attackers were operating unchanllenged and they returned and passed beside Zangon Kataf town and drove 5km west of the town and attacked three other vllages from 1:30am on 13/7/2021. In the attack, Matyei Community made up of 156 homes were all burnt down. The Church in Matyei and its Alter and the Sacristy were all burnt down. The Catheist incharge of the parish, Catheist Yau , and an infant were killed.
“They went further to Abuyab Community about 500 meters away and burnt down Ecwa Church. Abuyab is the home village of the formal Ecomog field Commander Maj. Gen. Shakari Billyok (Rtd) and 11 houses were burnt down. Their attempt to attack Runji Community was repelled by the villagers.
“The attempt to destroy the bridge linking Matyei with Zangon Kataf town and other Atyap Community succeded partially. They went to Makarau and Kachechere Communities leaving 10 persons dead, 12 houses burnt down after looting. On 13/7/2021, 20 Atyap natives were kiled, on Sunday 11/7/201 in Warkari Community about 7 km east of Matyei came under heavy attacks and gunfire by the assailants.
“The Forum hereby sympathised and coomisurate with the affected Communities and families of both the deceased and the injured. The Forum equally sympathised with SOKAPU President and his team over there ugly incidents.
“The Forum is now calling on the President Muhammad Buhari to declare state of EMMERGENCY on Kaduna State with immediate effect.
