President Muhammadu Buhari, Tuesday, reiterated Federal Government’s determination to prosecute perpetrators of violence that recently erupted in Kaduna State.
Buhari spoke at a meeting with religious and traditional rulers in the state when he visited Kaduna to condole residents on the recent violent incidence.
According to the President, Kaduna residents “cannot kill and burn our way out of poverty and inequality. Strife can only deliver more pain and more strife.
”It is time to break out of the mindset that limits us from collaborating productively for the common good.”
He said: “Kaduna, once the home of the Premier and home of the New Nigeria must not earn itself a new name – home of violence.
Buhari’s meeting with religious and traditional rulers took place at the Murtala Square and had in attendance the Emir of Zazzau, Dr. Shehu Idris, Archbishop of Kaduna Catholic Archdiocese, Most Reverend, Mathew Man-oso Ndagoso and Secretary General of the Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI), Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu.
Among other clerics at the venue were Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Kaduna State chapter, Bishop George Jonathan Dodo, founder of the Peace Revival and Reconciliation Foundation of Nigeria, Pastor Yohanna Y.D. Buru.
The President said: “Violence shatters and divides people and stifles the prospect of any community that succumbs to its tragic logic.
“It is my earnest appeal to all who call Kaduna home to do their best to uphold peace in their respective communities. Chaos and anarchy tend to worsen and exacerbate whatever issues are agitating a community.”
Buhari said government will adopt stringent measures to meet out punishment to the perpetrators of the crisis.
“The Federal Government will take strongest measures possible to punish perpetrators of these crimes. If, in the past they got away scot free, we shall now hold everyone to account for these latest killings.
“Let it be clear to all that individuals and communities have obligations to comply with the law and uphold peace.
”These obligations include respecting the rights of others to live wherever they choose, to worship freely and to pursue lawful livelihoods anywhere in this country. These are constitutional and human rights that we as a government and people must uphold and depend.
“We are doing our best to develop human capital and address poverty and inequality in all parts of the country. Providing decent education and health are my priority goals.
”I am delighted with the successful collaboration between federal institutions like the Bank of Industry and the Kaduna State Government to provide vocational and entrepreneurship skills, and low-interest credit to expand economic opportunities.
“I urge Kaduna State government not to relent in its focus in expanding equality of opportunity, promoting job creation and upholding law and order.
”You have a partner in the Federal Government that stands ready to provide concrete support not only to Kaduna but all states to help address the poverty and inequality that fuels some of these recurrent crises.
“I have noted the concerns raised by the governor of Kaduna State about the outstanding issues of payment of compensation and resettlement of communities that have lingered since the post-election violence of 2011. I assure you that the Federal Government will give due consideration to the matter.
“I wish to express my profound sadness at the loss of lives and properties that have occurred during these tragic incidents. It is unacceptable that criminal elements can visit on citizens the wanton killings recorded in the Kasuwan Magani incident of October 18, 2018, and the unrest around Kaduna metropolis a few days later. This must stop!”
“On behalf of the Federal Government, I commiserate with the government and people of Kaduna State. I also wish to express our condolence on the loss of His Royal Highness, the Agom Adara, who served his chiefdom and Kaduna State with dedication. May his soul and that of all persons that died, rest in perfect peace.
“The Federal Government commends the efforts of Kaduna State government in responding to, and managing the crisis. More federal security assets are being provided at the request of the Kaduna State government to help uphold and keep the peace.
“The Federal Government will continue to work to ensure that more security assets are recruited and deployed across the country to protect all citizens going about their lawful business and to reinforce the authority of the government.
“In this light, the Federal Government welcomes the decision of Kaduna State government and its local governments to build and provide facilities for the take-off of more police divisions and civil defence offices in the state.
“On their part, citizens also have a duty to be law-abiding in their conduct and within their communities. There is a need to avoid violence as a tool of negotiation or obtaining advantage, and learn to listen to each other and commit to resolving differences through peaceful means.
“Federal security agencies will hunt and prosecute all those who sponsored these acts of violence.”
Earlier in his remarks, Governor Nasir El-Rufai had requested President Muhammadu Buhari to pay victims of 2011 post-election violence the compensation of N3.85 billion, as part of measures to forestall future crisis in the state.
According to him, many of the people lost lives and property, and communities which places of worship were destroyed in these crises since 2011 are yet to be fully compensated, resettled and their property reconstructed.
“We need to achieve closure on resettlement of displaced persons, payment of compensation to 2011 victims and the reconstruction of destroyed properties. We are appealing to the Federal Government to provide the balance of 53% of assessed compensation, amounting to about N3.85bn, to enable victims rebuild their lives, and for all places of worship to be restored.”
While commending the federal government for providing its security asset to quell the crisis, the governor said the night time curfew in the state would soon be lifted “as the security assessment had indicated that it was prudent to do so.
“In this moment of trial, we have again seen heartwarming examples of the triumph of a common humanity over hate and division. Christians and Muslims have given refuge to each other in moments of peril, and have in some communities united to jointly protect places of worship against attack. These are the good, decent people that assure us that the forces of peace and order will prevail!”
The governor said the root cause of the crises in Kaduna state was because of “certain resentments driven by poverty and a sense of inequality,” noting that many of the violent episodes that had blighted the state have started in and around markets, and often targeted economic assets of citizens.
