Accuses state govt of insensitivity
Detained leaders freed

BY  Luka Binniyat

KADUNA — Hundreds of Christians, yesterday, held prayer sessions for over 100 of their members who were killed in three Moroa villages in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State last Saturday by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The mourners who were dressed in black attires held their prayers at the Bajju Town Hall in the television area of Kaduna metropolis, as soldiers and anti-riot policemen watched, just as two armoured vehicles were stationed  nearby.

After about one hour of fervent prayers, led by Pastor Mathias Yashim, the congregation trooped outside the hall  with lit candles for an address by the National President of SOKAPU, Dr. Ephraim Goje.
There was a mock coffin in their front to mark the solemnity of the event even as some also carried placards with various inscriptions against the state government.

In his address, Goje said:, “SOKAPU is very disappointed with this kind of show of arms against aggrieved southern Kaduna people, who had congregated here to mourn and pray for their loved ones killed in hundreds back home in their sleep.

“We do not know that this government has so much arms and personnel. We are, therefore, shocked that this fierce looking policemen and soldiers so well armed cannot go to Kaura and protect lives and property, but converged here against peaceful worshippers.
“There has been no fewer than 600 people killed in 54 raids on southern Kaduna villages since 2011 and it is like there is no government in place at all.

Insensitivity
“We condemn this kind of insensitivity and we call on the Federal Government to relocate a battalion of soldiers to Kaura Local Government before it is too late. The genocide in southern Kaduna must stop now.”
Former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Kaduna State, Mr Adamu Kish, also said: “The show of arms against a peaceful people praying to their God for intervention in what is going on against them is an arrogant violation of their basic rights to gather and worship, and even peacefully protest.

“This is not a mark of civility and it must stand condemned. Our youths that were detained yesterday should be briefing their lawyers now for legal redress against their illegal detention and attendant trauma.”
Other speakers accused the state governor, Ramalan Yero of allegedly being indifferent to the plight of southern Kaduna people, saying Yero “could not even make a state broadcast when over 100 of his citizens were murdered in one night in cold blood.

“He could not even visit the place. All he does is to order the traumatised to come to his office for discussions, while the murderers are working free and planning the next havoc.”

Detained leaders freed
Earlier, the National Youth President of the Southern Kaduna People’s Union, SOKAPU, Mr Sabastine Luka, and three of his officials were detained on the orders of the Kaduna State Police  Commissioner, Umar Shehu, over a planned prayer session.
Those detained along with Luka included Bavoshia Nyan, Kaboshio Paulinus and Sunday Kasai.

The news of their detention, yesterday, sparked demonstration by youths, who vowed to storm the state Police Command headquarters where they were being held, unless they were freed.
However, it took the intervention of the community leaders for the youths to call off their peaceful protest, after which their leaders were freed.