SOKAPU Says Kaduna Killings ‘Well Coordinated,’ Not Revenge Attacks

The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) has denied claims that the killings going on in Southern were for revenge, stressing that the attacks were planned and well coordinated.

The National Youth Leader of SOKAPU, Comrade John Isaac stated this in an interview with THE WHISTLER against the backdrop of the renewed attacks by suspected Fulani  herdsmen on Friday night in Zikpak community, which is the seat of the throne of the Fantswam people in Jema’a Local Government Area of the state.

The attack reportedly left nine persons dead and eleven others with severe injures, with six of them being referred to various specialist hospitals in the state.

The father of Nigerian singer, Joe El Amadi was also among those who lost their lives in the incident.

Isaac said “No community is safe as far as Southern Kaduna is concerned. It is under siege. As am talking to you now, we don’t know whether they’re striking somewhere. It is a well coordinated, well planned attack. It’s not an attack of once in a while. It is occurring all the time. No community is safe as far as southern Kaduna is concerned.”

According to him, the government has failed the people of the area as it has been unable to protect lives and property.

He refuted the claim pf the presidency that the killings were revenge attacks.

“Any government who can not protect lives and property, is a failed government. I read from the presidency, Garba Shehu saying the killings in southern Kaduna is a revenge killing. There is nothing like revenge killing.

“Southern Kaduna people have been very peaceful right from day one. They’ve been hosting different people including the Fulanies. The Fulanies have been grazing in their land, in our own land. Now what is reprisal here? That you’ve been staying in our place, grazing your animals and then you decided to carry guns to shoot your hosts in the dead of the night. What is reprisal here? There is nothing like reprisal.

“This is coordinated attack aimed at ethnic cleansing. The whole world should know. What is happening there now is nothing but genocide.”

He called on the federal and state governments to rise up and act instead of mere rhetorics.

“The government claimed that Southern Kaduna enjoys huge number of security personnel, be it airforce or what ever. Now I want to see those military coming to work in southern Kaduna. I want to see jets flying. We want to see action from the government, not just talks.”

Recall that Governor Nasir Elrufai, had on Friday night imposed a 24-hour-curfew on Jema’a and Kaura LGAs as a result of the attack.

He noted that at the request of security agencies, the state government extended to Jema’a and Kaura LGAs, the 24-hour curfew that was in force in Kauru and Zangon Kataf LGAs to help contain violence, restore law and order in the area.