Story from Saleh INUWA, Kano
Emir of Zaria, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli has revealed that Kaduna State, especially Zaria town and its environs are under siege as kidnappers now move freely into the town with sophisticated weapons killing and maiming innocent people.
According to the monarch, Zaria used to be safe haven, a home of peace, where, even during a crisis, one can be assured of safety from any attack, kidnapping etc in Zaria city.
“People have been asking me, why should there be no peace and security in Zaria when we have one mechanised division in Kaduna Enroute Zaria, Zaria Depot, a concentration of Army in Jaji, Army at Basawa and other security agencies? All these and yet bandits can come here freely and kill people and leave”, he noted.
He continued, “We have to strategise on how to confront them because we have been having security meetings for the past 3 days, yet attacks on Zaria or on people travelling from Kaduna to Zaria are on the increase. I am happy the commissioner of police, Umaru Mori has accepted our proposal for a joint operation between the police and men of the Vigilante Group.
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On Friday, the Emir noted, he had to speak to people after Friday prayers on how to be on the lookout because what is happening now has never happened in the history of the Emirate.
“The Governor is doing his best but we are far from coming out of the crisis. With the concentration of the Nigerian Army in strategic places in Kaduna State, one should expect that no matter the capacity of the kidnappers, they should be dealt with because, as we are, there is no difference between those in the villages and those living in the comfort of their apartment in the cities.
Speaking at the same venue, the Kaduna Commissioner of Police, Mr Umaru Mori, revealed the readiness of the police to work together with members of the vigilante or even incorporate them into Police Patrol Teams. He, however, advised caution because some members of the vigilante are retired criminals and still have criminal instincts in them.
He said there must be synergy between the police, army, traditional rulers, Islamic leaders and opinion leaders, while people should be on the lookout to report promptly any suspicious movement by unknown persons.
Representative of the Chief of the Army Staff, in his remark, has revealed that the Army boss has directed the deployment of over 300 experienced soldiers from Borno State to strategic parts of Kaduna in order to employ their fighting experience and crush the criminals operating around Birnin Gwari, Igabi, Zaria, some parts Southern Kaduna and Kaduna Metropolis.
