.. Say’s S/Kaduna people paid over N900M as ransom to terrorists in 2020
143 communities displaced, 160,000 persons homeless
Kaduna nation’s capital for kidnappings, abductions
Stands with Bishop Kukah
By Gabriel Udeh, Kaduna
Southern Kaduna indigene spent over N. 9 billion as ransom payment to terrorists who pose as bandits and kidnappers in 2020 according to the leadership of Southern Kaduna people’s Union (SOKAPU)
SOKAPU also revealed that no fewer than 143 communities have been displaced completely, while over 160,000 persons, mostly women and children, are now homeless, and living under very harsh and dehumanizing conditions devoid of food, medication and other necessities of life, in their zone.
The President Hon. Jonathan Asake made the assertions during a press conference he addressed at the Union’s Secretariat on Monday in Kaduna on SOKAPU’s position on the State of the Nation, especially security, governance and general wellbeing of their people.
He said “More worrisome is the fact that the core North has consistently exhibited to the rest of the country that Buhari is a President for a particular region and religion, and not for the entire country. “Sadly so, his glaring nepotism, chauvinism and bigotry in his governance style seems to lend credence to this perception”, the union stated
The former federal Lawmaker said SOKAPU felt gravely concerned, particularly, with the spates of insecurity that has ceaselessly engulfed the nation, especially in communities across the Northern States and Middle Belt Regions.
He said “Nigeria, as a nation is seriously undergoing severe security challenges whereas terrorists who pose as Boko Haram, bandits or kidnappers continue to unleash premeditated and unprovoked attacks on our people and turning our communities into rubbles of devastation and desolation.
“The incessant kidnappings, gruesome massacre and displacement of indigenous people from their homes have continued unabated.
“Presently, in most of our communities across the 12 local governments of Southern Kaduna, there are reported cases of daily abductions on the road, farms, homes, markets and worship centres, where victims have gone through unimaginable torture and relations forced to pay outrageous sums of money as ransom.
“As I address you today, no fewer than 143 communities across our local government areas in Southern Kaduna have been completely displaced, with over 160,000 persons, mostly women and children, now living under very harsh and dehumanizing conditions devoid of food, medication and other necessities of life.
“From reports of kidnappings available to us and the amount of money paid in ransom, our poor, vulnerable and defenceless people in Southern Kaduna have had to cough out over N900million from January to December 2020 as ransom to these heartless criminals,with many killed when relatives of victims, unable to raise the ransom, and at times even when ransom is already paid.
“This undoubtedly has placed Kaduna state as the nation’s capital for kidnappings and abductions”, he said.
He also lamented that “While the government of the day in our state and at the federal level have continued to appear helpless in their capacity to tackle these challenges or many at times turn a blind eye to these horrifying atrocities and crimes against humanity, the chances of bringing back hope for our despairing communities is becoming slimmer by the day.
“It is against thisbackdrop that the Christmas homily by the Catholic Bishop of the Sokoto Diocese, Dr Matthew Hassan Kukah, serves a timely wake-up call onnational leadership to confront the monsters of destruction that are committed to the annihilation of our communities.
This is not the first time
patriotic citizens and statesmen have raised their voices of concern to drawthe attention of our leaders to the need of confronting these security challenges that seek to destroy our nation which appears to have always fallen on deaf ears
.
“We recall a similar concern raised by a respected General and statesman, philanthropist and former Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (retd), where, having observed the incessant killings across communities in Nigeria, particularly inthe Middle Belt Region, and also observing the non-neutrality of the Nigerian military, urged communities to rise up and defend themselves.
“This clarion call for self-defence by the General which is a constitutional provision and a right for every citizen, was perceived negatively by a section of this country which has continued to behave as if they own Nigeria and that other citizens have no right to criticise the government of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari”, the union stated.
SOKAPU recalled that “In another twist, a refined gentleman, technocrat, accomplished academic, former Deputy Governor ofthe Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and a one-time presidential candidate, Dr Obadiah Mailafia, had in a media interview called the attention of Nigerians to the inability of government in tackling insecurity in the country.
“He further drew the attention of the public to the sad situation where a certain Northern governor was behind the banditry in the region”, he said.
He Howver expressed sadness that “Despite comments by Dr.Mailafia on those behind the insecurity ravaging our nation, the secret police were more concerned in harassing the Harvard trained economist than looking into the substance of his revelations.
“It appears to us, therefore, that comments by Nigerians attract different reactions from the government, depending on the region, ethnicity and religion of the person making such comments.
“It’s sad to note that when persons of core Northern extraction criticize government; they are taken as kind words, but when the same statements are made by people of Southern or Middle Belt extraction; they are harassed and tormented and their comments branded as treasonable by government”, they said.
According to SOKAPU ” this discriminatory posture of government clearly shows that the Buhari-led administration treats Nigerian citizens differently; some as first class and others considered as second class. “If this is not the case, how can one explain a situation wherethe same comments made by Dr Mailafia attracted ceaseless harassment by security personnel, and a similar comments by the Acting Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), did not attract the same reaction.
“Again, when the respected Bishop Kukah criticised the government in his Christmas homily, all hell brokeloose from Northern elements who have consistently exhibited intolerance since the assumption of Buhari as the President. “Despite the fact that some of those who came hard on the Bishop had made statements against the government in amore critical manner.
“Considering the rancorous debate that has trailed the Bishop’s Christmas homily, it is clear to all that while some have arrogated to themselves the right to criticise President Buhari-led government, others are denied the same right.
“More worrisome is the fact that the core North has consistently exhibited to the rest of the country that Buhari is a President for a particular region and religion, and not for the entire country.
“Sadly so, his glaring nepotism, chauvinism and bigotry in his governance style seems to lend credence to this perception”, the union noted.
According to them “All that Bishop Kukah is accused of saying against this government had been said by some other people in a more critical manner but never attracted a barrage of condemnation andthreats.
“We note that the Sultan of Sokoto, prominent emirs and the Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) had condemned President Buhari over his dismal performancein tackling insecurity in the country, with NEF calling on him to resign.
“The anger and threats that are being issued against the revered Bishop was never served on the Sultan, emirs and NEF which clearly shows the discriminatory posture of this government.
“SOKAPU stands with Bishop Kukah and others who before him had called to attention the subtle and continuing annihilation of our communities. The people of Southern Kaduna have continued to bear the pains of discriminatory practices aimed at diminishing our status as Nigerian citizens.
In the light of these grievous infractions on our rights, we have taken solace that just as the dawn follows the night, this present darkness of hopelessness that is enveloping our nation will soon fizzle out.
“As a union, we hold this fact as incontestable, that all Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic and religious divides, have the inalienable right to criticise government with the sole intention of promoting inclusivity for all citizens.
Those who have threatened Bishop Kukah ought to be arrested and be made to face the full wrath of the law.
“For the Islamic group that issued out a threat and an ultimatum on the Bishop, we must warn here that nobody has a monopoly of violence and nothing should happen to Bishop Kukah. “Those who call on the government to rise up and do their jobs are not criminals; they are patriots who are genuinely interestedin the unity and wellbeing of citizens”, SOKAPU’ stated.
