The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union has asked the Economic Community of West Africa; the African Union, and the United Nations to intervene towards stopping the incessant killings in Southern Kaduna, Kaduna State.
The PUNCH reports that gunmen penultimate Sunday invaded Sankwab in Atyap Chiefdom in the Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of the state, killing more than 20 villagers and destroying property valued at millions of naira.
The SOKAPU leadership said the people of the area had lost confidence in the Nigeria government and therefore called on the international community to intervene before it was too late
Addressing a press conference in Kaduna on Thursday, SOKAPU President, Mr Awemi Maisamari, said the call on international communities for action became necessary since home government had allegedly failed to protect the citizens.
Maisamari said, “We are also very sad about the silence of the Economic Community of West African States; the African Union, the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations over the unrelenting pogrom in Southern Kaduna.
“SOKAPU is calling on these continental and global bodies to send independent investigation teams to Southern Kaduna to debunk or confirm our claims of ethnic cleansing here.
“Before then, we advocate for a UN or AU Peace Enforcement Operations Base in Southern Kaduna. This will practically demonstrate that the world is interested in our collective survival as minority ethnic groups.
“It must not abandon us to be hounded by well-funded and well-armed herdsmen who are being encouraged and protected by their powerful kinsmen and collaborators in and outside Nigeria.
“At this juncture, we will like to thank all the good-spirited persons, groups and NGOs in and out of Nigeria that have assisted in various ways. We plead that they should not relent in their kindness as indeed our woes are not over.
“However, we have actually lost faith in the Nigerian state; not in the Nigerian people. In particular, we have lost faith in the Nigerian leadership, and the current political arrangement that we have.
“Honestly, we have lost hope in the system and leadership of Nigeria and that is why we are calling on the international community to intervene.
“The truth must be told that it is possible that you can change personnel, but if you don’t change the operating environment, you are not likely to get a better result.”
