‘Ploy to downplay killings’ — group kicks against NBC’s directive on reportage of insecurity

Kaduna indigenes under the platform of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), has described the recent directive to broadcast stations by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) not to report the details of attacks by bandits and insurgents as a “ploy to downplay killings in various communities”.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday in Kaduna, Jonathan Asake, president of the union, said urgent steps are needed to stop the orgy of killings and destruction of communities.

Describing some of the recent happenings, he said: “Armed Fulani militia sneaked into Kibori village in the wee hours of July 8, 2021, where they slaughtered a widow, her three children and grandchild.”

“On July 11, 2021, the attackers invaded Badawa village in Gora ward where they killed four Amawa natives and razed almost the entire settlement.

“The family home of the paramount ruler of the Atyap people, HRH Agwatyap Dominic Yahaya, in Magamiya was attacked and scores were killed just as they burned down a Catholic church in the village.

“From there, the assailants moved to Matyei where they looted foodstuff and household items before burning down over 150 homes, including another Catholic church. Seven cars and 15 motorcycles were also burnt down.

“The vicious attackers moved to the home town of former ECOMOG field commander, Maj. Gen. Shekari Billiyock (rtd) where they bombed his home in Abuyab village.

“The attackers were seen accompanied by men in army camouflage riding in Hilux vans painted in military colours using sophisticated weapons to bomb some homes”

Asake accused the government of “conspiracy of silence and a deliberate attempt to downplay the severity of the atrocities and genocides being perpetrated against southern Kaduna communities.”

“This conspiracy against our people may have led to the government’s directive through the National Broadcast Commission (NBC) to bar reportage on terror attacks and activities of bandits and kidnappers by the broadcast media,” he added.

“No wonder the enormity of the killings and destruction, with the attendant humanitarian crisis foisted on our people by these attacks, has been downplayed by the government in a bid to hide the ugly realities of ongoing genocidal attacks across our communities.”

He condemned Ahmad Gumi, popular Islamic cleric, and Nasir El-Rufai, Kaduna governor, over their controversial stance that bandits are not criminals but only collect ransoms from their victims.

“We are convinced beyond doubt that the government has a capacity to combat these daredevil bandits that have made life unbearable for our communities.

“If government could lure the Benue militant, Terwase Akwaza, AKA Gana, out of his hideout in September 2021, and later killed him; if they could trace Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to Kenya and blindfold him to Nigeria in June 2021; if they could trace Sunday Igboho to Cotonou and arrest him just a few days ago; and if they could smoke out the commander of Eastern Security Network (ESN), Ikonso, and later killed him in April 2021, then, it clearly shows that government has enough capacity to deal with the situation.

“It is strange to explain how government is unwilling to tackle banditry and kidnappings in the north, but at the same time hasty in deploying full intelligence and military force against Southern and Middle Belt activists that are engaged in one form of agitation, criminality or otherwise.

“Even when these bandits brought down an air force jet last Sunday, July 19, at the border between Zamafa and Kaduna state,  thereby challenging the sovereignty of our country, the government has not shown enough action to tackle the dangers posed by banditry and insurgency that have now acquired anti-aircraft launchers and sophisticated weapons.”