Kaduna killings: Senate accuses el-Rufai of complicity, blames FG for negligence

The Senate has accused Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai of complicity in the recent crisis in some parts of the state leading to the death of almost 100 persons and wanton destruction of property worth’s several millions of nsira.

The governor took the knock from Senators who took turn to dissect the unfortunate situation in the state during plenary on Wednesday.

The Senators as well held the federal government responsible for the festering of killings across the country due to government negligence and conspiracy by elite.

Governor el-Rufai’s absence in the state at the inception of the crisis was described as a calculated plan by the governor who was accused of having a fore knowlege of the event.

The Senators also said the attacks and killings in the state were indicative of religious and ethnic violence and that relevant leaders are not rising against it.

These were consequent upon a motion by Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi (PDP, Kaduna North) who standing on Senate Order 42 and 52 lamented the “unfortunate, unmindfui, inhuman and avoidable Killings” in Kaduna State.

He said despite the 24 hours curfew slammed on Kaduna metropolis and environs, Hunkuyi said killings were going on unabated.

According to him, the recent attacks on Kasuwan Mageni community of Kaduna State witnessed scores of people killed while a paramount ruler was abducted. He faulted the role of state government in ensuring the release of the victim and further noted that at the moment, following the 24-hour curfew, disturbing peace is gradually returned.

The senators were disturbed that gruesome and mindless killings are being carried out in communities across the country with relevant security agencies, and particularly the executive arm of government deliberately refusing to evolve proactive measures to contain it.

The Upper Chamber noted that government is shielding those behind the dastardly act and that except the killers are fished-out, the country would not know any peace.

Also, it said security agencies are not discharging effectively its responsibility of intelligence gathering and further challenged it to act responsively.

Contributing to the debate, Senator Shehu Sani (PRP, Kaduna Central) condemned the attacks and killings in its entirety, and stated that the situation will persist unless the people embrace peace and tolerance. He said the time has come to avoid hate speech and divisibility to foster tranquility.

Also, Senator Danjuma La’ar (PDP, Kaduna South) said “all the crisis in Kaduna state are caused by the governor (el-Rufai).” He alleged that elite know the killers but are only hiding from revealing them.

Other lawmakers who spoke on the matter include Sam Egwu (Ebonyi North), Kabir Marafa (APC Zamfara Central) and Philip Gyunka (Nasarawa Central), all condemned the killings and charged security agencies to arrest and prosecute the assailants.

Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, led the Senators to observe a minute silence in honour of the departed souls. He said it is high time the security problem in the land must be stopped.

Consequently, the Senate resolved to immediately constitute a central committee to interface with the executive arm of government so as to evolve adequate security measures and end the killings.

While calling on Kaduna and federal governments to quicken the process to the release of the adopted traditional ruler, it further urged NEMA to assist those in need, provide food and medicals to the affected persons.

It however, directed security agencies to invest and proffer solutions to permanently avert the killings, as well as call for implementation of recommendations of the Senate on the national security summit.