Southern Kaduna youths vow to defend communities against bandits

• Group wants recovery of lands, others allegedly seized by Fulani
• UniAbuja begins 24-hour patrol, employs hunters
• Training, intelligence, key to boosting security, says military
• Zulum tasks soldiers, police, others on securing Borno

Youths in Southern Kaduna have vowed they would no longer allow attacks by terrorists in their communities.

“Enough is enough!” the youths, under the aegis of Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), declared, urging residents of the area to defend themselves “against terrorists that have now found a safe haven in our forests.”

This was contained in a statement issued by National Youth Leader of SOKAPU, Comrade John Isaac.

“The recent killing of two of our kinsmen and the abduction of countless others at Ungwan Gimbiya in Sabon Tasha, a town within Kaduna metropolis, has left us perturbed as to the functionality of security architecture and the readiness of government to tame the rising wave of criminality across the state and the country,” they said.

This came as Southern and Middle Belt Alliance (SaMBA) asked Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, to recover 102 communities allegedly annexed by Fulani herdsmen in Plateau State from 2001 till date.

The group further requested that the governor issue an order for the herdsmen to evacuate the communities. In a statement signed by its spokesman, Rwang Pam, SaMBA said: “The governor must issue an express order of evacuation of all illegal occupiers and users of lands, dams, ponds, streams, homes, and other properties because peace can only reign when the issue of justice is addressed by the state government and its agencies. Without justice peace will continue to be elusive in Plateau State.”

Also, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of University of Abuja (UniAbuja) Governing Council, Mohammed Ahmed Modibbo, said the institution has commenced a 24-hour patrol to ensure safety of its staff and students.

Modibbo disclosed this at a retreat organised by the Governing Council for principal officers, deans, directors and university-based unions in Abuja.

He said the institution also engaged the services of hunters and vigilantes to boost its security, following recent abduction of some staff and family members by bandits.

CHIEF of Defence Intelligence (CDI), Major General Samuel Adebayo, however, insisted the global security environment remains challenging.

He said Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) requires skilled operatives, who are innovative and creative to enhance national security.

Adebayo disclosed this during the combined graduation ceremony of Basic Intelligence Officers’ Course 13/2021 and Defence Intelligence Officers’ Course 18/2021, held at Defence Intelligence College, Karu, Abuja, at the weekend.

He said the courses are integral tools in the agency’s quest to produce highly trained manpower capable of providing actionable intelligence to meet national security challenges.

IN a related development, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, urged the military, police and other security agencies to brace up to protect life and property.

He spoke at the weekend, while sympathising with residents whose houses were destroyed at 1,000 Housing Estate and Ngormari Airport Community in Maiduguri.

“We have to fortify Maiduguri, as we will continue to do around other cities and towns across the state. We have to ensure adequate patrols on daily basis to avert future attacks,” he said.

MEANWHILE, newly appointed Sole Administrator of Birnin Gwari Local Council, Hajiya Ummah Kaltume Ahmed, has pledged to roll out strategies for combating insecurity in the area.

The council has witnessed a number of attacks by bandits. Ahmed, who spoke during the swearing-in of her deputy, Mahadiyya Ango Abdullahi; secretary, Hajiya Maryam Zakari; and 11 councilors, also reiterated her commitment to carrying everyone along in running affairs of the council.