Abuse Of Power And Maltreatment Of Innocent Citizens: Call El-Rufai To Order Kaduna Group Tells Kaduna Assembly Speaker
3rd February, 2017
The Honorable Speaker,
Kaduna State House of Assembly,
Lugard Hall,
Kaduna.
Sir,
UNWARRANTED CURFEW IMPOSED BY KADUNA STATE GOVERNMENT IN ZANGO KATAF LGA
The above named organization is a youth forum that comprises all the leadership of the five (5) major tribes in Zango Kataf Local Government of Kaduna State (Bajju, Atyap, Ikulu, Anghan, and Hausa/Fulani) and has been existing since 2011. The forum has been involved in so many progressive and developmental activities one among which is sensitization and creating awareness on issues of public interest.
Sir, the Miyetti Allah Breeders Association of Nigeria Kaduna State (MACBAN) wrote a letter on 10th January 2017 threatening to attack Ungwa Gaiya/Mabushi indigenous community which was picked at the corridors of the District Head of Ungwan Gaiya. This threat was reported to security agencies both in Zonkwa and Kafanchan respectively. You will recall that 0n 17th January 2017; Three (3) people were killed by gunmen and four (4) people seriously injured and hospitalized through gunshots from the attackers in Samaru Kataf of Zango Kataf LGA. The victims were attacked by the gunmen while undergoing their lawful business activities on the regular Tuesday market in their area. This prompted the imposition of 24hours curfew by the Kaduna State government.
The effort of the State government was greeted with joy which was perceived to aim at restoring law and order and to forestall loss of lives and break down of law and order.
Little did we know that the government was not aimed at maintaining law and order but to further hold the good people of Zango Kataf who were victims of the unfortunate attack hostage. It is 17 days today that the government is enforcing an unlawful down to dust curfew in the local government on the harmless and attacked communities. It is very important to note that this singular act by the government is outright abuse of constitutional powers and unlawful maltreatment of the citizens.
In view of the ongoing curfew imposed on Zangon Kataf Local Government since 17th January 2017, the leadership of the above named organization, rising from an emergency meeting on 2nd February 2017 have viewed with great concern the continuous imposition of curfew in Zangon Kataf Local Government and therefore urge the Speaker and Honorable members of the house to call the executive Governor to order and restrain him from further abuse of power and maltreatment of innocent citizens.
Honorable speaker sir, while our people were being attacked without help from the law enforcement agents, the governor has done little or nothing to visit the communities, send a representative or settle the hospital bills of the victims. As at the time of writing this letter, no arrest has been made from that ugly incident despite the strict security surveillance.
Recounting the effect and the lost the avoidable and unlawful act of the government has done to the communities and citizens;
- Schools have been forcefully closed while exams is fast approaching
- Market men and women have lost items of perishable profit.
- Final year students preparing for their WAEC/NECO have been deprived the opportunity to register.
- Farmers do not have access to harvest their products and to further prepare for the next planting season.
- All economic activities have been grounded as banks and other businesses are closed.
- Our traditional rulers have been threatened and queried for no other reason but on issues that has to do with the carelessness on the part of the Governor to maintain peace in the state.
It is a well-known fact that despite the attacks, the way and manner the curfew was imposed on us raised doubt on the intent of the Governor. Mr. Speaker, just like we have stated; the curfew has been on for over two (2) weeks now and we view this as an outright abuse of power and brute force to oppress the people and achieve an intended agenda we are yet to uncover. Again, we have become highly suspicious of this move by the governor as an act of conspiracy holding us captive and subjugating us, destroying our economic activities and scheming to further impoverish us. Apart from Samaru where the unfortunate incident took place on 17th January 2017, no incident was recorded or has been recorded in any area of Zango Kataf Local government neither is there any reprisal or any intended civil unrest from the community to warrant the extension of the curfew till date! You can imagine the injustice meted on communities that are victims of attack.
Mr Speaker, despite efforts by well-meaning individuals, groups and organizations to reach out to the H.E through government officials and security agencies, to lift the curfew in the interest of peace, stability, growth and development, he has continued to put off deaf ears and remain adamant to our cry. Instead, he has continued to push the curfew to punish us who had been attacked instead of dealing with the attackers and bringing them to book.
We therefore appeal to you and the honorable members as a matter of urgency to compel the executive Governor to release our people who have been held captive and kept under prison custody on no just cause but as a result of putting off self-defense to safeguard lives and properties from the terrorist/Fulani militia that have destroyed many lives and communities.
Honorable speaker sir, we therefore appeal to you to exercise your legislative powers within the ambit of the constitution to restore peace and order in the state and restrain the Governor from outright abuse of power as the people are groaning from this unjust policy against our peace loving people who have been working hard to preserve peace, despite frequent provocative attacks by the herdsmen who have been identified and paid by his Excellency yet carrying out murderous attacks unabated.
Therefore, it is our hope that the house will take urgent steps to address the issues raised. As we await your quick and response to this letter, we will continue to count on your support and believing that our request will be given due consideration. Thank you.
Long live Zangon Kataf LGA,
Long live Kaduna State,
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Signed:
Comrade ThankGod Emmanuel
Comrade Habila Kayit
Coordinator
Deputy Coordinator
Atyap National Youth President
Bajju
National Youth President
Secretary
Ikulu National Youth President
CC:
Hon. Angulu Kwasau
Hon. Irimiya I. Kantiok
Hon A. A Wakili, Chairman Zango Kataf Local Government
Hon. Sunday Marshal Katung
Distinguish Senator Danjuma La’ah
Divisional Police Officer Zonkwa
Department of State Security Service
