Following continued killings and kidnappings of innocent members of its community, Adara Development Association, ADA, has raise an alarm over the continuing insecurity being faced by Adara community especially in Kajuru LGA of Kaduna State.
Addressing a press conference, the President of ADA, Uwemi Dio Maisari stated that “On Wednesday, 31st July 2019, villagers in the area saw some strange armed Fulani people. When they were questioned, they assured the locals that they did not mean any harm to them.
“Their number later increased thereby making people in the area to panic in anticipation of an imminent attack. The terrorists eventually struck at Maikori area of Ungwan Gamo village on Thursday, 1st August, 2019.”
He narrated that during the attack, one person was killed and two others were seriously wounded. The casualties were limited because the people were not caught unawares as in previous cases.
Maisari stated that for the attack to be coming after several weeks break in the hostilities clearly shows that the attackers have all along been looking for opportunities to strike again.
He noted that while the recent attack has once again heightened the fear, tension and suspicion in the community, disrupting farming and other economic activities that have been recovering very slowly, cases of kidnapping for ransom have also made a comeback.
Maisari condemened in strong terms some of the recent incidents including the Kaduna-Kachia highway kidnap and the kidnapping of two young girls aged about 15 years each at Dutsen Gaiya on July 15, 2019 among others.
The association which expressed surprise that the incidents are occurring regardless of the presence of security in the community wondered why the numerous police check points are restricted to day time duty only to be deserted by night time when people are more vulnerable.
“It is shocking that millions of Naira meant for the development of the community are being diverted in the name of security while the security itself is not serving the needs of the people. Worse still, the police check points in the community have all been turned to toll gates where the already traumatized people of the community and passers bye are regularly subjected to multiple extortions.
“It is so unreasonable, even wicked that in the midst of all these, the only preoccupation of the local and state authorities in Kajuru Local Government is the immediate reopening and even reconstruction of the volatile Kasuwan Magani market.
He cautioned the authorities to note that Adara people cannot be deceived by Greek gifts meant to divert the attention of the community from its main problems as already identified and prioritized by Adara nation.
They said their fundamental problems remain the institutionalized social injustice being inflicted on its people, the artificially induced and condoned insecurity taking a heavy toll on the material wellbeing of the impoverished community and threatening the lives and existence of innocent and peaceful citizens and even Adara society as a whole.
They also named the brazen attempt to crush and destroy Adara Chiefdom and its identity, culture, local autonomy and self determination by administrative and physical means so as to enable non-Adara people to subdue and completely take control of Adara land.
The association therefore warned that any authority wishing to carry out any major project or activity in Adara land must first of all address the above life threatening problems.
“Our people must be convinced that the project or activity will sincerely, fairly and equitably accommodate the views, interests, concerns and fears of the majority before they can give their blessing.”
Mr Maisari who stated that the community is ready to partner local, state and security authorities in addressing the lingering security challenges on agreeable terms called on the authorities to reclaim their credibility and douse the ever rising tension in Adara land by reversing the scrapping of Adara Chiefdom.
