Youths of the Southern part of Kaduna State have protested against what they described as the incessant killings of people in the state under the administration of Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The protesting youths, under the aegis of the Southern Kaduna People’s Union, expressed their fear and concern over the escalating insecurity situation in Kaduna State at the Unity Fountain, Abuja, on Saturday.
Kaduna State is witnessing a steady rise in criminal activities of late, with Samuel Aruwan, the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, recently disclosing that bandits killed no fewer than 222 and abducted 774 persons, as well as injured 226 persons among them women and minors in the state, between April and June 2021.
According to the protesting youths, who carried placards with different inscriptions inscribed on them, lamented that the state is no longer safe, claiming that people no longer feel comfortable to travel there and that residents cannot sleep with their eyes closed.
One of the youths, Jane Thomas-Rogers, said Governor El-Rufai must rise up to his responsibility and secure the people.
She also called on the security agencies to tackle the criminal elements head-on and ensure peace in the volatile state.
“Children are being raped, women are being raped, people are being killed. Governor Nasir el-Rufai, you need to stand up to your responsibilities and protect lives and properties. For how long is this going to continue? We are tired of these; the killings must end,” Thomas-Rogers told the Punch.
“Kidnapping here and there. Before now, kidnapping was an occurrence on Abuja road but right now, it has moved to Southern Kaduna.
“People cannot sleep with their eyes closed, we are scared of going to Kaduna. Just recently, my cousin was kidnapped, we had to pay ransom before he was released; we couldn’t sleep.
“What is happening? And our governor does not even have sympathy for our plight as a people. This carnage must stop, enough is this.
“We are calling the attention of the international community to this. Our government is sleeping, something must be done.
“We call on all Nigerians to speak up against this. It started in Southern Kaduna, it can reach your doorstep tomorrow.
“Right now, there is a protest going on and you can see security men all over but when there is killing, kidnapping, you won’t see any of them. What is happening? We the youths are tired, enough of this.”
