Armed thugs numbering about 100 stormed Arewa House Kaduna on Monday and brandished dangerous weapons to disrupt a meeting held to discuss security issues ravaging the North.
The hoodlums attacked the meeting organised by Coalition of Northern Groups, (CNG) aimed at creating synergy between communities and government security to design a uniform approach to the current security situation in the North, especially in the aftermath of abduction of over 300 schoolboys in Kankara, Katsina state.
This is just as the Joint Action Committee of Northern Youth Associations (JACOM) called on governments to stop paying ransom to kidnappers, while calling on Inspector General of Police to allow Nigerians to carry arms to protect themselves from killers and kidnappers.
The disrupted event was attended by retired military officers, retired police officers, religious leaders, traditional rulers, various women, youth and trade associations to contribute to the security review meeting.
Chairman of the Coalition, Balarabe Rufai, told reporters that the attack was unfortunate.
“Just as the meeting was kicking off, sponsored armed thugs stormed the auditorium after subduing the civil guards at the gate. They came in with machete and other weapons and started attacking people.
“Majority had to fly out through the window to escape. We are very confused on what actually transpired. But I want to assure people that this objective we have of reviewing security situation in the North where people are being killed on daily basis would continue. we cannot fold our arms and watch.
“Whoever is behind this attack is an enemy of the North and enemy of Nigeria. This attack won’t deter us. We are going to have another meeting in another place and discuss how to complement government’s effort in bring out security outfit that is multi-sectoral, where all people will come in and have what we intend to call Arewa Security Marshall,” he said.
Spokesman of the CNG, Malam Abdulaziz Suleiman, in a statement issued after the aborted security review, said, “The hoodlums overturned tables, shattered glasses, attacked the guests and officials, wounding several people and smashing vehicles parked in the premises.
“it is disturbing that a battalion of armed thugs can stroll free across the streets of central Kaduna wielding dangerous weapons without the intervention of the security. Security only arrived hours after the thugs had left. It is quite obvious now that some powerful forces are benefiting from the current security situation and would do everything for it to continue.”
Meanwhile, the Joint Action Committee of Northern Youth Associations, (JACOM) in a communique issued after its two-day meeting in Kaduna, said “President Muhammadu Buhari has failed his primary duty of providing security and welfare for the people, following the spate of kidnapping and other security challenges in the North.
“We condemned the kidnapping of hundreds students of Government Science Secondary School Kankara in Katsina state, we urge the state and Federal Government to rescue the students in no time and avoid a repeat of the Chibok Girls who became pawns on the chess board of Boko Haram. We demand that President Buhari address the nation on the kidnapping of the boys.”
The communique signed by Convener of JACOM, Muhammed Murtala Abubakar, and Chairman JACOM communiqué committee, Kumaga Rapheal Terkula, called for restructuring of the country to pave way for community policing.
The committee also urged the Inspector General of Police to lift ban on arms acquisition by citizens to enable them protect themselves from killers.
“We recognise the need to restructure Nigeria and review the requirements and allow responsible Nigerians and communities the right to apply for fire arms to protect themselves. We urged Northern governors to stop payment of ransom to kidnappers and account for security votes given to them,” the communique added.
