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Zangon Kataf crisis: Middle belt youths condemn detention of 15 Atyap indigenes

 

The Middle Belt Forum, MBF, Kaduna State chapter, has lamented that for over 18 days after fifteen (15) Atyap community leaders in Atyap Chiefdom, Zangon Kataf local government area of Kaduna State were arrested, they have remained detained without trial.

The Secretary of the forum, John Haruna, in a statement, said, “It is shocking and disheartening by all ethnic Nationalities in the Middle Belt to note that for over 18 days they have been detained without trial as stipulated by Nigeria’s constitution. Among these noble and patriotic leaders is a very sick 85 years old man, four village heads and youth leader.”

The forum noted that the men were tricked to a peace meeting by millitary officers of operation Safe Haven who are in charge of peace restoration on 3rd April, 2021 at the headquarter of operation Haven, close to Kafanchan, Jemaa Local Government Area (LGA) Kaduna State.

According to the statement, they were later transferred to the Kafanchan police Area command where they were detained by the police and are currently being held at the Kabala west police Station, Kaduna State.

According to the statement, “These leaders were invited by the military for a peace meeting to chart the way forward for peace to reign in Atyap community and land over the incessant killing, arson, destruction of farm land and crops, rapping of women and kidnapping.”

It said among the detained Atyap community leaders are Ishaya Achi (Dakachin Zonzon Community), Joseph Bitrus (Secretary of Dakachin wawarafi), Bitrus Adamu (village Head of Mai wakili), Sumaila Kazah (village Head of ugwan Tabo).

Others, according to the forum are Elder Waje Laah (85 years old man and very sick of Mabuhu village), Ayuba Dodo (Dakachin Mashan 1) and Peter Katung a youth leader.

The statement explained that while the forum does not in any way support lawlessness in any form, it takes exception when the law is only directed at the victims.

The Forum frowned at the type of system in operation in Nigeria where Fulani herdsmen have been unleashing terror on farmers in Southern Kaduna, Benue, Kogi Plateau and the entire Middle Belt Region, lamenting that the government at both federal and Kaduna State levels deliberately turned blind eyes and deaf ears towards the glory sight and sounds.

It decried that not a single one (suspected Fulani) was apprehended and prosecuted but when a Fulani herdsman or some of their cows were killed or rustled, the law enforcement agents were quick to apprehend the culprits.

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