Retired Security Officers Fuelling Southern Kaduna Crises, Army Alleges

Commander of the Military Operation Safe Haven, Maj. Gen. Augustine Agundu, has asked farmers and herders in southern part of Kaduna State to surrender illegal weapons in their possession or risk being arrested, accusing retired security officers of fueling crisis in the area.

He also alleged some retired security officers of southern Kaduna extraction were responsible for promotion of violence in the area but assured they will soon be nabbed.

The Commander, who stated these yesterday in Kafanchan during K ad una State government and Defence Headquarters’ Operation Safe Haven’s meeting with stakeholders in southern Kaduna, said the farmers and herders must stop their old practice of taking laws into their hands.

Agundu, who spoke passionately on why Kaduna people must live in peace with one another, urged residents to identify and report criminal elements in their communities to security agencies for prompt action.

“Farmers and herders carrying illegal fire arms must surrender them to the nearest security post to avoid arrest.

“Farmers and herders must always report any grievances to security especially the military rather than taking laws into their own hands. This will not be tolerated.

“As farmer you don’t need to kill another person who destroys your farmland because we cannot buy life. We must stop stealing cows. I also advise the herdsmen to stop using children to rear cows and night rearing. Let us isolate the bad ones, the criminals that cut across all the tribes. We must be tolerant of each other and grow understanding,” he urged.