HURIWA asks DSS to probe Southern Kaduna assaults

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has referred to as on the Department of State Services (DSS) to research attainable political motives behind the renewed killings and abductions in Southern Kaduna.

The affiliation expressed concern over the timing and recurrence of assaults within the space, notably following experiences that Governor Uba Sani had picked a Christian from Southern Kaduna as his working mate for the 2027 governorship election.

In an announcement issued on Friday, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, stated though the group was not leaping to conclusions, the circumstances surrounding the assaults required pressing intelligence investigation.

It urged the DSS to determine whether or not there was any connection between rising political developments and the renewed violence, including that anybody discovered sponsoring assaults to destabilise the state needs to be recognized and dropped at justice.

The affiliation stated the most recent assault on Akwando neighborhood in Kachia Local Government Area, the place two individuals have been reportedly killed and 20 kidnapped on Wednesday, November 4, had heightened fears amongst residents.

The incident was disclosed by the Kuturmi Unity Development Association (KUDA), via its President, Joseph Ariko, and Publicity Secretary, Hon. Manasseh Akwando.

HURIWA additionally recalled that an Easter Sunday assault on Ariko neighborhood claimed 5 lives on the scene, whereas one other 17 victims reportedly died in captivity.

It stated an assault on Awon neighborhood additionally left two individuals useless and 11 others kidnapped, with some victims later regaining their freedom whereas others reportedly died in captivity.

The group additional expressed concern over allegations that armed teams have been imposing unlawful levies on residents and proscribing their entry to ancestral farmlands.

It described such actions, if established, as violations of basic human rights and threats to the livelihoods of affected communities.

HURIWA demanded the rapid rescue of the 20 residents kidnapped from Akwando and different victims nonetheless being held captive.

Despite its considerations, the affiliation recommended Governor Uba Sani for his efforts to deal with terrorism and restore safety in Kaduna State.

It notably acknowledged the administration’s collaboration with safety companies and its place in opposition to granting terrorists impunity for his or her atrocities.

The group urged the governor to maintain engagements with safety establishments, conventional rulers, spiritual leaders and neighborhood stakeholders to strengthen peace-building efforts.

It additionally referred to as on residents, regardless of their spiritual, ethnic and political affiliations, to assist the governor’s initiatives in the direction of restoring lasting peace within the state.

HURIWA urged President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Defence Staff and the DSS Director-General to deal with the renewed assaults as an pressing nationwide safety concern.

It referred to as for the deployment of adequately geared up safety personnel to Akwando, Ariko, Awon and different susceptible communities, in addition to the institution of everlasting safety posts, common patrols and efficient early-warning mechanisms.

The affiliation additionally demanded coordinated safety operations to rescue kidnapped residents, investigations into alleged extortion and restrictions on entry to farmlands, and prosecution of these discovered accountable.

It additional referred to as for humanitarian help to displaced residents, survivors and households affected by the assaults.

HURIWA warned political actors in opposition to exploiting insecurity to advertise spiritual division, ethnic hostility or electoral pursuits, insisting that the folks of Southern Kaduna deserved to stay, farm and worship with out worry of being killed or kidnapped.

It stated the state’s peace-building efforts should be matched with efficient safety of susceptible communities, accountability and respect for basic human rights.