A coalition of Southern Kaduna organisations, has made a strong case for the parade of suspects arrested in connection with acts of criminality in the area, saying the development will aid transparency.
This was as the coalition, which operates under the umbrella of Southern Kaduna Indigenous Peace Practitioners (SOKIPEP), disclosed that many of “our members constitute most of the vigilante members and cut across the entire Southern Kaduna”.
According to the coalition, members of the vigilante in the troubled area, work closely with the military, through patrols and intelligence gatherings
In a statement by its National Coordinator, Rev (Dr) Dauda Fadia, the group said: “We have been working closely with the military on patrol and sharing intelligence…We are also aware that they have prevented some attacks.
“While we commend the military for a number of arrest made so far in the crisis, we appeal to them to hand over the suspected militia members in their custody to the Police: after parading them in public for transparency and subsequent prosecution. We will not tolerate any attempt to shield them.”
The group claimed that the militiamen, who carry out the mindless attacks on communities, use bush paths, to evade arrest by security operatives.
It noted that the said claim was based on information gathered from the local vigilante members.
Meanwhile, Senator representing Kaduna Central, Uba Sani, had said his heart bleeds over kiIIings of innocent people in Southern Kaduna, saying that the people of the region have the right to live.
Sani urged leaders and elders in the region to cooperate with the government and collectively work for peace.
“We are one people. We are Kaduna people. No one must take joy in seeing our people being killed. No group or community should be treated as if they are not entitled to enjoy constitutional rights because they are in the minority where they have chosen to live.
“We must urgently embark on some confidence-building measures. A united front is what is needed to confront and defeat the bandits making life unbearable for our people. The time to do that is now,” he said.