The renewed violence in Southern Kaduna

The renewed violence in Southern Kaduna is disturbing. The deteriorating insecurity in the area is in spite of the heavy presence of security agents, who are unable to rein in the rampaging gunmen who are widely believed to be Fulani herdsmen.
The latest attacks on four communities, identified as Ashim, Nissi and Zilan, in Atakad District of Kaura local government, and Bakin Kogi in Goska District of Jema’a local government, reportedly claimed 21 lives.  Over 50 houses were said to have been set ablaze in both attacks. The casualty figure was also later reported to have risen to 26, after the Atakad Development Association (ADA) confirmed the recovery of an additional four dead bodies and the death of another victim.
The Kaduna State government said that the Garrison Commander of the 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Ismaila Isa, and the state’s Commissioner of Police, Agyole Abeh, have relocated to the Southern part of the state to restore peace and coordinate a determined response to the renewed attacks on communities in the two local government areas.  Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has also imposed a 24-hour curfew on the troubled communities and assured them of protection.
However, the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) has faulted the 24-hour curfew imposed on the two councils. He stressed that such total curfews have, in the past, led more to hunger and loss of lives of innocent members of the communities, than peace and security. SOKAPU President, Dr. Musa Kaptain, recalled that it was under a curfew and the heavy presence of police that Goska, a short distance from Kafanchan, was attacked last December.
We strongly condemn the renewed attacks on communities in Southern Kaduna. It is unfortunate that the presence of security agents could not curtail the attacks. The recent killings indicate that the security agents deployed to the area are probably not doing enough to secure the troubled zone.
We, therefore, urge all the security agencies to increase their capacities to secure Southern Kaduna from the suspected murderous herdsmen. The agents deployed to the communities should also be more alive to their onerous responsibility.
It is necessary to review the security arrangement in this troubled part of the state. The government must muster the political will to end the festering violence in Southern Kaduna and its suspected ethnic and sectarian dimensions. We call for an immediate stop to the killings. The military and police formations set up to quell the violence should be well equipped for the task.
They should be evenly spread to cover the areas engulfed by the crisis and other vulnerable communities.  Dialogue between the warring factions should be vigorously pursued to achieve lasting peace in the area. The tendency to politicise the crisis should be stoutly resisted. Politicians from the state are advised to refrain from combustible rhetoric that can escalate the crisis. Let the security agents pursue their assignment with utmost patriotism and avoid taking sides with any of the warring groups.
Above all, the security agencies should do everything that is required to prevent further attacks in Southern Kaduna. Let the Federal Government act fast to stop the menace of gun-wielding herdsmen. This matter should no longer be handled with kid gloves. Since the primary duty of government is to protect life and property, all Nigerians, including the inhabitants of Southern Kaduna, deserve this protection.