From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Against the backdrop of perennial cases of insecurity and lack of motorable roads in Kauru local government area of Kaduna State, the leader of Kauru local government Community Development Associations (CDAs), Abel Habila Adamu has tasked the State governor, Uba Sani, Senator and House of Reps members, and the council chairman from the zone to address the situation.
Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Adamu said, “I stand before you today to address a pressing concern that affects us all; the issue of insecurity in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
“The recent surge in violence and attacks in the area has resulted in loss of lives, displacement of people, and destruction of property.
“As a community, we have tried to address these issues through our own initiatives, such as neighborhood watch programmes and community policing. However, the situation has deteriorated to a point where we require immediate intervention from the relevant security agencies and the global community.
“The cases of abduction of innocent people in the area is alarming and uncalled for, just last Friday a woman was killed by her abductors in Kiffin chawai after paying ransom as demanded by the bandit.
“Similarly in Kumana and Kauru chiefdoms thousands of people have been displaced with others killed in Dokan Karji, Bandi, Rumaya, Kwassam, Kaibi, Kusheka, Geshere and Binawa axis among others.
“This is uncalled for, and we plead for immediate action from the government to ensure the safety and security of our people.
“To address this issue, we are calling on the government to establish two military base, one each in Kauru and Kumana chiefdoms.
“These military base will provide a permanent security presence in the area, helping to deter attacks and provide a sense of security for the local population, who are now sleeping with their two eyes opened in fear of the unknown.
“While thanking the government for the establishment of military base in chawai chiefdom, we also want to call for the provision of more security personnel to address the pocket of attacks being witness in some parts of the chiefdom.
“As law abiding citizens we are willing and ready to work closely and cooperate with the government in its quest towards restoring lasting peace in the local government area.
“Furthermore, we are commenting the state government under governor Uba Sani for the ongoing rural transformation projects across the twenty three local government areas of the state.
“We particularly want to acknowledge the efforts of the governor for reawarding the contract for the ongoing construction of the pambegua to Kauru Road project to a credible and competent contractor.
“There is no doubt that, best on the track record of construction company the project would this time see the light of the day.
“It would interest you to note that Kauru local government area is made up of three chiefdoms, Kauru, Kumana and Chawai, all these chiefdoms have no good access roads, people coming from chawai axis have to travel hundreds kilometres, through Saminaka in Lere local government area to Pambegua in Kubau local government area due to lack of access roads.
“And this has also been a contributing factor to the delay in the swift response by the security, the operation Safe haven, located in Kafanchan, as they have to travel 9 to 10 hours before arriving the scene of any attack in the local government area.
“It is in the light of this that we are advocating, the extension of the construction of the Pambegua – Kauru Road to Kwassam, Geshere, and Mariri, to link communities from the three chiefdoms and ease transportation problems faced by the people, especially during rainy season.
“This will not only improve the economic prospects of the area but also enhance the security of the people by providing easier access to security personnel and emergency services.
“In addition to these specific demands, we are also calling on the government to provide other critical infrastructure, such as healthcare facilities, schools, portable water and electricity, to support the development of the area and improve the living standards of our people.
“We want to use this opportunity to commend the relentless efforts of the chairman Kauru local government council. Alhaji Bashir Tanko Dawaki, our representatives at both the national and state assembly, Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, Hon. Mukhtar Zakari Chawai and Hon. Barnabas Haruna Danmaigona, for working round the clock to ensure the security of lives and property of the people.
“We believe that with you putting forces together with the state and federal governments, the infrastructure and security challenges face in the local government area would be a thing of the past.
“While appreciating the security forces particularly the operation Safe haven, for thier relentless efforts in securing the lives and property of the people, in the entire southern Kaduna, we are once again appealing to the government to take our demands seriously and work towards addressing the insecurity and infrastructure challenges facing Kauru Local Government Area.
“As representatives and leaders of community development Associations, CDAs, in Kauru local government area, we will continue to engage with the government and other stakeholders to ensure that our demands are met and our people are safe and secure.”