Buhari orders strong actions to deal with violence in southern Kaduna

• Herdsmen activities constitute danger to Nigeria’s unity, says group

President Muhammadu Buhari has given instructions for decisive measures aimed at bringing an end to the recurring acts of violence and destruction in the southern part of Kaduna State.

This came yesterday as he sent condolences to the people of southern Kaduna, who have lost loved ones in the recent violence.

A statement from the presidency last night said the Inspector-General of Police was in the region last Saturday and Sunday to assess the situation at first hand as a consequence of the directive.

The statement signed by Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, explained that in addition to the conventional policemen deployed in the area, a squadron of mobile policemen has now been stationed there.

It disclosed that the Nigerian army is also in the process of setting up two battalions in Southern Kaduna while the military continues to carry out air surveillance across flash points.

The president has equally directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to carry out a joint assessment of the situation with the sister agency in Kaduna (SEMA), to determine the level of response required for urgent aid to the victims of the violence.

These measures, the statement added should soon ensure the return of normalcy to the region, while the Kaduna State government continues its peace building efforts.

The president commended efforts of the state government and the security agencies in the steps taken so far to curtail the violence.

This is coming as the Catalysts for Peace and Justice Initiative (CPJ) alleged negligence by the Federal Government, the Kaduna State government and security agencies over herdsmen sustained attacks and killings of the people of Southern Kaduna.

According to the Executive Director of the group, Henry Onifade, security agencies have been silent on the level of destruction of lives and properties for too long, thereby encouraging more attacks.

He said: “We are disturbed that the police and other security agencies have for too long allowed the herdsmen a free reign to destroy farmlands, while maiming and killing those who stand in their way in farming communities of Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Taraba, Kogi, Enugu, Niger states and other parts of the country.

‘’We note with concern the systematic attacks and killings in the largely Christian communities in Kaduna South, particularly in Sanga, Jema’a, Kanra, and Kauru local governments.

‘’We are worried that the attacks on these communities have been carried out over the last several months by well-armed herdsmen who have in the name of cattle rearing ransacked many communities in the last one year unchallenged, leaving in their wake destruction, death and disaster.”