“You’ll not go unpunished,” Tinubu orders hunt for killers of 30 Kaduna residents

By Ayorinde Oluokun

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said he has directed security and intelligence operatives to track down the gunmen who killed 30 residents and burned down houses in Naridon Village, Kamaru Ward, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State in the early hours of yesterday, Monday, 27 July.

The President revealed this in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, his spokesperson, on Tuesday.

Tinubu, in the statement, strongly condemned the attack on innocent citizens in Naridon Village, describing it as ‘barbaric and cowardly.’

While describing the assault as an unprovoked act of terror against defenceless people, President Tinubu stressed that those who seek to destabilise the hard-fought peace and security, which Kaduna State has enjoyed in recent times, will not go unpunished.

The President also extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, as well as to Governor Uba Sani, the Government, and the entire good people of Kaduna State.

He reassured the state government and affected communities that the Federal Government stands firmly with them in this hour of grief and remains resolute in tackling security challenges nationwide.

“I have directed the Armed Forces, police, and relevant intelligence agencies to intensify operations across the affected areas to track down the perpetrators swiftly and restore normalcy to the region.

“Our administration has an unwavering commitment,” President Tinubu reiterates,” to strengthening security infrastructure, equipping response personnel, and neutralising criminal networks attempting to disrupt the peace of the nation.”

“I urge our local communities to cooperate with security forces by providing actionable intelligence that would help early response efforts,” President Tinubu adds.

Meanwhile, the Southern Kaduna Peoples United Association (SOKAPU) has called for urgent and proactive measures to halt the rising cases of killings, abductions and attacks on communities in the area.

The association made the appeal in an open letter addressed to Gov. Uba Sani and the Commissioner of Police on Monday, following an attack on Narido communit

The letter, signed by SOKAPU National President, Engr. Tabara Kato, said about 30 persons, including women and children, were reportedly killed in the attack, while several others sustained injuries.

SOKAPU expressed concern that communities in Kauru, Kajuru, Chikun and Zangon Kataf Local Government Areas had continued to experience violent attacks despite ongoing security engagements and assurances by security agencies.

It said the persistent violence had displaced many residents from their ancestral homes, destroyed farmlands and exposed farming communities to constant fear of attacks.

The association urged the police command to shift from what it described as reactive responses to proactive security operations aimed at preventing further attacks.

It called for the immediate deployment of tactical police and counter-terrorism units to vulnerable communities and forest corridors considered prone to criminal activities.

SOKAPU also appealed for regular security patrols in farming communities to enable residents to cultivate and harvest their crops without fear of attacks or abduction.

The association further urged the police to strengthen intelligence-driven operations to identify and dismantle criminal hideouts, while ensuring swift responses to distress calls from affected communities.

According to the association, restoring public confidence through effective communication and prompt security interventions is essential to addressing the security challenges confronting the area.

The group noted that protecting lives and property remained the constitutional responsibility of the government and expressed confidence that the police command would act decisively to prevent further loss of lives.

Southern Kaduna has witnessed recurring incidents of armed attacks, kidnappings and communal violence over the years, with rural communities in Kauru, Kajuru, Chikun and Zangon Kataf among the worst affected.

The attacks have resulted in loss of lives, displacement of residents and disruption of farming activities, raising concerns among stakeholders over food security and livelihoods in the area.

The Kaduna State Government and security agencies have in recent months intensified security consultations, deployed personnel to flashpoints and engaged community leaders in efforts to stem the violence.

However, residents and community groups have continued to call for stronger security presence and intelligence-led operations to address the persistent attacks.

(NAN)