…Says Enough Is Enough, Warns Criminals

Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has on Tuesday, said communities have an obligation to keep the peace, report and expose criminal elements, stressing that government intends to encourage peace by vigorously enforcing the various provisions of the riots damage law of 1958.

The governor added that government would also enforce the collective punishment law of 1915 and the peace Preservation Law of 1917: “These laws impose costs on communities that permit violence in their midst, obliging community members to be charged and levied monies for the cost of repairing damage done during episodes of violence”

Addressing council of chiefs during an emergency meeting held in Kaduna over the outbreak of violence in some parts of the state last week, El-Rufai, in his address entitled ‘Let us strengthen the Coalition for Peace’ updated the resolutions of the security council meeting which okayed selective variation of the curfew as appropriate in certain parts of Kaduna metropolis.

The governor said KSTA vehicles with Police/NSCDC to escort travellers passing through Kaduna.

He revealed that police will work with other relevant agencies to revive the task force to enforce the proscription of operations of commercial motorcyclists popularly known as okaders: “Re-establishment of checkpoints and military patrols along Kachia Road.

“Review of the activities of youth groups and community development associations to ensure that they are conducive to the promotion of peace and harmony”

The governor continued: “As you are aware, there have been breaches of the peace since Thursday, 18th October 2018, when unrest broke out in Kasuwan Magani. The state government promptly imposed a curfew in the area. The loss of lives was staggering- at least 55 corpses were recovered, and the damage to lives and livelihoods considerable. A brazen crime was committed. We owe the victims justice, and our state respite from the impunity of those who have arrogated to themselves the authority to wantonly violate lives, livelihoods and the rights of others.

“The necessity to apply the law vigorously is illustrated by the panic and anxiety that spread into our capital city and environs as people spread vile rumours on Sunday, 21stOctober 2018. Hoodlums exploited the situation to engage in further criminal activity and to violate the rights of other citizens. The aftermath of the disinformation and resulting panic led to the death of another 22 citizens, injuries to 44 persons and destruction of property within Kaduna metropolis. Some of the injured have been discharged, but 34 others are still receiving medical attention.”

He noted: “The Kaduna State Government was therefore compelled to declare a 24-hour curfew in the metropolis to stem the proliferation of false rumours, prevent the spread of chaos and to enable the security agencies to restore calm. We have gone round affected areas, visited hospitals, interacted with communities and counseled against reliance on unsubstantiated information.

“I wish to inform your Royal Highnesses that the government is constantly reviewing the situation with the leaders of the security agencies. Yesterday, senior government and security officials went around Kaduna metropolis, Kujama and Kasuwan Magani to further reassure and calm our people. We also visited Kachia, where we met and commiserated with the family of HRH AgomKachia whose release from abduction we are all working and praying for.

“Your Royal Highnesses, we all have a supreme obligation to overcome the legacy of strife in Kaduna State. We are not the only diverse place on this planet. And we must not hold on to a legacy of pace and division. The first ethno-religious clash in the state which happened in Kasuwan Magani in 1980, led to the loss of our innocence. Since then, it appears that a constituency has developed which believes that violence pays, and is convinced that violence has no consequence for the perpetrators”

“It is time to firmly persuade them otherwise. It is time for a powerful coalition for peace to speak frankly and support firm actions against those who menace the right of our citizens to live in peace wherever they choose, to freely practice their faith anywhere and to pursue legitimate livelihoods without let or hindrance. No group or individual will be allowed to veto or constrain the rights that the Constitution has guaranteed.”

El-Rufai added: “The pace of prosecution in our courts is hampered by the heavy case loads of our judges. We are working to secure the approval of the National Judicial Council to expand the bench in Kaduna State with 20 additional high court judges. We also clearly need to have more police and other law enforcement officers on the ground to provide assurance to the law abiding, and to deter criminals.

“In this wise, the Kaduna State Government is working with the Kaduna State Police Command to establish new divisions in Narayi and Sabon Tasha. We are grateful to the police authorities for also agreeing to establish a police division in Kasuwan Magani. The state government and the relevant local government councils will provide the buildings to house these new police formations. More military Strike Force bases will also be established.

“We can all agree on the need for more security assets and faster dispensation of justice in our state. But our communities have to enlist in the coalition for peace. Beyond boots on the ground, and a phalanx of security agents, the ultimate guarantee of peaceful coexistence is the willingness of individuals and our communities to live in peace. As said in the state broadcast last night, harmony in our land requires a commitment to obey the law, and to use only peaceful and lawful means to resolve differences.

“Everyone, particularly our royal fathers, needs to be aware of their stake in preventing disorder and upholding peace. The government will shortly be providing details of the enforcement process of these extant laws. We cannot compromise on the imperative of securing our communities from criminals and rascals. Enough is enough!

“In situations of unrest, it is common for traditional leaders to disclaim any control over unruly youth. It is an excuse we can no longer accept. Where significant sections of a community disdain the counsel or authority of their traditional ruler, it imperils the rationale for keeping the traditional institution, and the occupant of the office.

“The Kaduna State Government will continue to advance the cause of peace on many fronts. As a government committed to promoting equality of opportunity, we intend to help promote prosperity by rebuilding and modernising markets in places impacted by conflict. The market in Kafanchan is already being rebuilt. We shall be extending this to the overstretched or destroyed markets in places such as Zonkwa, Zangon-Kataf, Kasuwan Magani and Kujama. The goal is to ensure that the new markets will accommodate not only the existing and previous shop owners, but also others who aspire to and are able to own shops. Perceptions that there are insurmountable barriers to securing trading places in markets will be erased in the new, expanded and modernised markets. The designs for these markets will include space to host police formations” the governor said.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/kaduna-violent-communities-to-pay.html

Walahi i support this. Next time they will be cautious about fights. Very sound plan.

When will Fulani herdsmen start paying for the killings and destruction of towns and villages?

When will Buhari pay for the suffering he has brought upon us?



Wasn't this the same Governor who claimed to have paid killer herdsmen to stop killing?

Ok

This midget never thinks things through. Why don't you go and collect the damage levies yourself Hell Rufai.

Very good

DrRasheed:
Walahi i support this.
Next time they will be cautious about fights.
Very sound plan.

DrRasheed:
Walahi i support this.
Next time they will be cautious about fights.
Very sound plan.

Of course you will support the plan....... All zombies will support the demonic midget.

DrRasheed:
Walahi i support this.
Next time they will be cautious about fights.
Very sound plan.

these may sound very good but from a critical angle you will see its flaws.what if peaple bring the war to your domain and damages are been done.is it you that will pay for the demages or the intruder. And don't be in a hast to say the intruders because in the past the government has a well record of denying the intruders,saying they are from Libya or they are not known.in situations like this the peaple being invead suffers double loss.they suffer the lost of life and properties,at the same are compelled to pay fine too.for peace to be both Christians and muslim leadesr should be sincere,talk to their followers.they know the peaple behind all these but fail to address it.let peace rain .

When Fulani herdsmen cause mayhem and kill El Rufai pays them but when Southern Kaduna people protest the wanton killing of their people they are made to pay fines

I am from the North and I Seriously hate and despise the north fro the blood letting at every instance. The positions of the Gov. if actionable is a welcome development.It would seem some people and so called traditional leaders,youth leaders etc. have turn themselves into useless blood suckers.They will covertly instigate and carry out the attacks or counter attacks only to later attend peace meetings advocating otherwise. When some people have died already and can not be saved. I say all violence should be met with Justice,all the guilty from foot soldier to leader...Ensure they don't just pay they hang for it.Forget politics....

A simple technology is to use Ariel and street video surveillance during unrest to capture, ID and prosecute any participant after every crisis.After all in other climes during riots and others ,government is able to ID people and try them even after the chaos. We should adopt same especially in the North.

May God punish them blood filthy murderers and there so called leaders who ask for blood at any slight issue.Karma ensure they suffer as the victims. I am freaking tired of the violence up North... All the stupid misguided folks killing as if it were nothing!