A coalition of concerned Nigerian citizens, comprising 14 individuals including 5 professors, 5 doctors, and 4 religious leaders from the northern region, has added its voice to the call for an investigation into the reported killing of eleven Fulani youths by the Nigerian army in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
In a statement released to the press in Kaduna, the group expressed solidarity with the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to thoroughly investigate the incident. They emphasized that their support for the investigation stemmed from their constitutional rights as well as their concern for justice and the rule of law.
The group highlighted that MACBAN had previously petitioned several governmental bodies, including the President, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Kaduna State Governor, and the Northern Governors Forum, urging them to intervene and investigate the alleged killings.
Citing disturbing details from MACBAN’s preliminary investigations, the group outlined the sequence of events leading to the deaths of the Fulani youths. They condemned what they described as deliberate and unprovoked actions by elements of the Nigerian military, alleging extrajudicial killings and looting of households in the affected community.
The statement referenced specific incidents documented by MACBAN, including the alleged killing of eleven Fulani youths, as well as other instances of harassment, extortion, and violence perpetrated by military personnel in the region.
Drawing attention to the constitutional obligation of the Nigerian state to protect the lives and property of all citizens, the group called for swift action to address the grievances of the affected communities. They emphasized the need for fair representation and balanced deployment of security personnel to prevent further tensions and suspicions.
In conclusion, the group reiterated its demand for a thorough investigation into the alleged atrocities, emphasizing the importance of upholding human rights and ensuring accountability within the security forces. They also called for compensation to be paid to the families of the victims as a gesture of goodwill and recognition of their suffering.
