Southern Kaduna community leaders have spoken out about the mass killings and burials that occurred under Nasir El-Rufai’s administration, drawing further criticism of the former governor of Kaduna State.
The situation in the region has improved since El-Rufai left power, according to Rev. Joseph Hayab, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Kaduna State, who spoke in an interview with Arise News. For the people of Southern Kaduna, he said, those were the worst years under the previous governor:
“Today we can say we are in heaven because at that time we were burying 20, 30, 40 and even more in mass grave from one community to another community,” Hayab stated.
He bemoaned the fact that towns were shattered, families were torn apart, and people lived in continual terror of bandit and armed group attacks due to the never-ending cycle of violence. Although there are still security concerns, the cleric stressed that the current period of relative peace is a welcome change from the widespread massacres that have occurred in the past.
Community funerals, in his view, served as a sobering reminder of the government’s inaction in the face of such a high body count. Reverend Hayab urged the present leadership to reflect on their predecessors’ errors and put the safety of their constituents ahead of partisan considerations.
He went on to say that the only way for victims of previous violence to find healing is for those responsible to face justice, and he pleaded with government officials to keep the peace in the area.
Love Reading Authentic News Stories, Click The Button Below
