The Atyap people of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna state have called on the state government and security agencies to as a matter of necessity and safety of the lives of the people, ensure the evacuation of migrant terrorists Fulani from Zango Urban....CONTINUE READING
The people said that as peace loving citizens, they are tired of the unprovoked massacre of innocent and unarmed women, children and others desirous of peaceful coexistence in Atyap land…..CONTINUE READING
The Atyap people said that as was done with Almajiris, the evacuation of the migrant terrorists Fulani would put to an end the unprovoked attacks and killings in Atyap.
President of the Atyap Community Development Association (ACDA), Dr. Samuel T. Achie, who made the demand on behalf of the people at press conference in Samaru, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area during the week, said that is the practice in an exclusively Fulani settlement of Laduga in Zangon Kataf of Kaduna State.
Achie said; “Why this has not happened so far beats our imagination and we wonder what the Federal and State Governments seek to achieve by not ordering this. Could this be a confirmation of a planned genocide on Atyap race?” he asked.
Achie noted that the Sector Commander’s presentation to Governor Nasir El-Rufai deliberately and consciously ignored the fact that it is only in Zangon Kataf Urban Hausa settlement that lawless and dangerous Fulani migrant terrorists are harbored by their Hausa host with their attendant criminal activities spreading to the villages that are now facing constant attacks.
He further said; “Brigadier-General Timothy Opurum deliberately refused to see and state the known facts that the influx of many dangerous lawless Fulani terrorists into Zangon Kataf Urban Hausa settlement and their attendant criminal activities in the last three years as responsible for the brutal attacks on mostly innocent and defenceless women and children in Atyap villages.
“It is a known fact among security agencies in our Atyap land that most attacks on our villages and people are planned and coordinated by these Fulani terrorists in Zangon Kataf Urban Hausa settlement. However, for reasons best known to him, the Sector Commander instead of calling a spade a spade chose to dwell on unproven allegation of cow poisoning by unidentified alleged Atyap persons and places in order to blackmail the Atyap and appease his pay masters,” he said.
Dr. Achie also noted that the Sector Commander deliberately failed, neglected and/or refused to highlight the contributions of the Traditional Council in Atyap land towards maintaining peace in the Chiefdom, saying that these facts are known to him and other security agencies in the area.
According to him; “But, the report presented to Governor El-Rufai did not convey the positive role played so far by the traditional Council and other community leaders in dissipating the conflicts.
“The contributions included visiting all homes of victims of attacks and killings in Atyap land, sponsoring of conferences/workshops on peaceful co-existence for Atyap, Hausa and Fulani youth, women and security operatives in Atyap land with the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, international and national peace advocates like Dr. Salim Musa, Barr. Pricilla Ankut all in an effort to ensure restoration of peace in the area”.
Dr Achie said that El-Rufai had on many occasions commended the Agwatyap for the bold and practical actions towards maintaining peace in Atyap land as reported in some national dailies like The Sun newspaper of 25th August 2020; Daily Trust of 28th August 2020; and The Cable (online) of 25th August 2020.
He said; “We were taken aback when we heard his comment after the Sector Commander’s report”.
The ACDA President noted that addressing Nigerians and the international communities at large on the persistent and recurring attacks and killings in some communities of Atyap land by armed Fulani herdsmen that have enjoyed decades of peaceful coexistence with the Atyap communities but that are now set out on a mission to displace these communities and take over the lands has become absolutely necessary.
According to him; “it is regrettable to state for the records that defenseless communities in Atyap Land have been suffering selective killings since 2017 before the sustained attacks by armed Fulani herdsmen in 2020.
“The Atyap land has of recent witnessed renewed attacks in Ungwan Wakili, Lagson, Atakjei and Runji where about 70 people have been killed, including a 5-year old boy who was beheaded resulting to 20 villages displaced, 18 villages burnt down, while 518 people killed with thousands of victims who have taken refuge across many communities from 2017 till date.
“The military personnel drafted to provide security in the area are not helping matters as they are selective by taking side with the herdsmen as contained in the 2023 First Quarter Security Report presented to the Kaduna State Government by the Sector Commander, Operation Safe Haven in Southern Kaduna, Brigadier General Opurum on the recent killings in Atyap land.
“In his doctored submission, the Sector Commander gave an unbalanced, lopsided report and was very economical with facts which prompted the Governor to note with concern the continued failure of the traditional and community leaders in Zangon Kataf Chiefdom to prevent resort to self-help by recalcitrant youths,” he said…..CONTINUE READING
