From Jibrin Miachi, Kaduna
The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) has seen wisdom in the establishment of security outfit code named “Amotekun” by South Western states for the protection of their people and stressed the need for same in other parts of the country with particular request for the kind in southern part of Kaduna state.
Worried by the unending death toll on their people by the activities of Fulani herdsmen, the union opined that this security measure will improve security of lives and property of their people who have been living under fears of attack from their attackers suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.
This was contained in a press statement issued by the National Public Relations Officer, Luka Binniyat who recalled with pains the series of attack on their people leaving them with deaths and wounds.
Recalling the recent attack which he said took place the 6th January, 2020, he said “we informed the world of the impunity with which armed militiamen sacked several Gbagyi communities in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna state, forcing them to flee their homes into exile in neighbouring Niger state.
“On the very same day of 6th January, 2020, Kasso, a peaceful Gbagyi community in Chikun LGA on its eastern boundary with Kajuru Local LGA, was again raided by these invading terrorists. In that attack, Mr Yusuf Sule (39) and his family were hard hit.
“The bandits killed his younger brother, Eli Sule (35) a father of five children, Danjuma Bulus (30) a father of four children, his cousin, Istifanus Auta (31) a father of three children. Also, his wife Ladi Yusuf a nursing mother was abducted with her six month’s old baby. His younger brother Bulus Sule and his wife Rebecca Sule were also kidnapped.
“Meanwhile, Irmiya Yusuf, the son of Yusuf Sule, who survived gunshot wounds, is receiving treatment at a local clinic. This morning, (11th, January, 2020), Yususf Sule received a call from the kidnappers. They used the phone of his kidnapped brother, Sule Bulus and called him.
“The kidnappers are asking for the ransom of N5 million. The brother told him that they are not in a good condition and that the six months old baby is critically sick because of the kind of condition they are being held captive. Yusuf and the community have no means of raising that money after the bandits looted the little they had gathered including two motorcycles Yusuf Sule owned.”
The statement further read saying: “Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) is once again constrained to draw the attention of every government authoritative, the general public and the International Community to the continuous deadly siege and violent attacks on Southern Kaduna Communities by armed militiamen believed to be Fulani herdsmen has continued unabated, and seems to be taking a turn for the worse on a daily basis.”
As a way out therefore, the SOKAPU image maker who cried out that “the recent attacks underscore the urgent need for a vibrant, government funded and staffed vigilante organization for every community in Southern Kaduna and indeed the entire Middle Belt Region.
“It is evident that in States and Regions where such organizations exist, as we have the Hizbah in Kano State, the Civilian JTF in Yobe and Borno States and the recent Amotekun established by Oduduwa States, there is greater assurance of safety for the people. Adopting this security measure for our communities will not only improve security but ensure greater safety for our people”” , he argued.
Consequently he declared: “We strongly support what the Yoruba States have done by establishing Amotekun to secure and protect all law abiding citizens in their domain. We look forward to PANDEF and OHANEZE N’DIGBO toeing the same path of the Yoruba States to assist Security Agencies in protecting their communities.”
