Dr Isah Muhammad, Chairman, Birnin Gwari Emirate
Progressives Union (BEPU), in a statement issued on Tuesday “The victims were mercilessly attacked and killed while
carrying out their lawful farming activities.
“This tragic incident has once again thrown the entire
Birnin Gwari community into grief and fear. It is particularly disturbing
because Kuyello and other communities in Eastern Birnin Gwari have continued to
suffer attacks, killings and other criminal activities despite ongoing efforts
to restore peace in the area.”
BEPU believed that the continued attacks on innocent farmers
and rural communities pose a serious threat to the peace and stability that the
people of Birnin Gwari have worked hard to achieve, saying that no part of
Birnin Gwari should be left behind in the search for lasting peace.
He stressed that Birnin Gwari is one community with a shared
history and a common future, pointing out that whether in the East, West or
Central parts of the Emirate, the pain of one community is the pain of all.
“As long as any part of Birnin Gwari remains unsafe, true
peace cannot be said to exist. We are deeply worried that if urgent and
decisive action is not taken to stop these attacks, many farmers may become
afraid to return to their farms this season. Such a situation will not only
affect Birnin Gwari but may also lead to reduced food production, higher food
prices and economic difficulties across Kaduna State and other parts of
Northern Nigeria,” he explained.
BEPU called on the Federal and the Kaduna State Governments
to take immediate and practical steps to eliminate criminal groups that have
ignored peace and continue to terrorise innocent citizens.
It also appealed to the Minister of Defence, the National
Security Adviser, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force and all
other security agencies to intensify security operations in Kuyello and the
wider Eastern Birnin Gwari area, saying that the people deserve to live in
peace, work on their farms and carry out their daily activities without fear.
The Union urged the Kaduna State Government to give greater
attention to the security challenges facing Eastern Birnin Gwari by
strengthening security presence and providing the necessary support to protect
lives and property.
According to the statement, “Our hearts go out to the
families of those who lost their loved ones in this painful attack. We pray
that God grants eternal rest to the deceased and gives their families the
strength to bear this great loss.”
The statement also appealed to the people of Birnin Gwari,
especially farmers and community members, to remain calm, united and
law-abiding, by encouraging everyone to continue cooperating with security
agencies by providing useful information that can help in tackling insecurity.
It explained that BEPU remains committed to working with
government, security agencies and all stakeholders to ensure that Birnin Gwari
never returns to the dark days of widespread killings, kidnappings and fear.
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