*Thanks governor for convening confidence building meeting with the community
*Tasks residents to assist government, security agencies with information on perpetrators
By KATO P. LADAN, Kaduna
The Southern Kaduna Peace Practitioners Network (SOKIPEP,) has commended the governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, the military and other security agencies for averting an attack on Kasuwan Maganin Community in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state.
Armed bandits had last Friday,attempted to assassinate some Fulani community leaders, shooting sporadically, and eventually escaping when security personnel showed up in response to distress calls.
But while fleeing the scene, the armed bandits reportedly shot one Alhaji Ahmadu Suleiman,who however survived with bullet wounds,causing pandemonium in the community,thus triggering fake stories across social media of ethno-religious crisis in the area.
The situation was calmed by the prompt action of the state government which quickly convened a confidence building meeting where critical stakeholders, including religious, traditional and community leaders in the area.
Reacting to the development, SOKIPEP condemned the reported attempted attack,wondering what could be the motive of the perpetrators that would not give peace a chance for once.
It,however, hailed the government of el-Rufai for carrying out its primary responsibility of protecting lives and property in the state, expressing optimism that with all the necessary mechanisms put in place by the governor, he would write his name in history of the state by ending the age-long crisis.
It is however, regrettable that in spite of the spirited efforts made by the government,security agencies and stakeholders in bringing long lasting peace in Kaduna State,some criminal elements attempted to launch fresh attack on the community.
SOKIPEP in a statement by its National Coordinator,Rev. Dauda Fadia,said by foiling the attack which could have taken the state back to its dark days,the governor had shown determination to end the crisis which his administration inherited.
Noting that the security footprint in Kaduna State has increased due to the efforts of his administration after a lot of deliberate study of the crisis,the group charged the governor to continue the pace with a view to putting crisis merchants out of business.
It tasked residents of the trouble area to assist authorities,especially the security agencies by providing useful information that could help track down the perpetrators for possible prosecution.
It called on residents of the state to assist authorities by providing information that could help track down perpetrators of crisis in the state.
