South Kaduna: Tensions After South Kaduna Youth Arrested With Weapons

Apr. 2, 2014

A security operative as well as several residents of the violence-plagued southern Kaduna report an air of tension in their area after reports spread that some weapons had been intercepted from some suspects in transit. A security source in Kafanchan, headquarters of Jema’a local government area, told our correspondent that residents are in a state of agitation after some youths started demonstrating and burning tires on hearing that some armed suspects were picked up in their area.

A security source disclosed that he had heard that the suspects were apprehended at a military checkpoint near the offices of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and the zonal office of the Ministry of Works and Transport in Kafanchan.

âI am not in Kafanchan now, but I am close. I am yet to ascertain the full and accurate account of what happened. But I have heard that some suspects were arrested with weapons at a checkpoint. And I was also told that the suspects are with soldiers who are interrogating them. Suddenly, I heard that hundreds of youths started trooping in demanding that soldiers give them the suspects. âThe men on ground are saying that the youths are burning tires. This action has caused tension. Our military men are watching strategic locations in the town,â said the source.

Meanwhile, several residents of Kafanchan and surrounding towns confirmed that they were gripped by fear and tension as a result of reports that an undisclosed number of men were caught with weapons. âThe soldiers have not briefed us on what is happening, so everybody is worried about what is happening and what will happen,â one resident said.

24-Hour Curfew Imposed On Kafanchan, As 22 Fulani Herdsmen Suspects Found With Arms Are Whisked Away To Kaduna

Twenty-two suspected Fulani herdsmen allegedly found with arms have been whisked away to Kaduna amid tight security, following pressing demands by angry youth of the area to be allowed to carry out jungle justice on them.

As earlier reported by SaharaReporters, tension had developed in the area following reports of the arrests by soldiers at a checkpoint near the offices of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and the zonal office of the Ministry of Works and Transport in Kafanchan.Â The youth began to gather as the news spread throughout volatile Southern Kaduna of the arrest of the men with a huge cache of arms.

The authorities swiftly slapped down a 24-hour curfew on Kafanchan in an effort to avert breakdown of law and order.

A source who confirmed the imposition of the 24 hour curfew, said, âThe indigenous youths blocked all routes leading into Kafanchan, aside the ones that besieged the military checkpoint [where] the suspects arrested with weapons were being held.

“The soldiers have to fire several shots to scare them but they resisted, immediately 24 hour curfew was imposed and the military whisked them away to Kaduna for continued investigation.â

Another source said at least two of the youths received injuries following the shots by the military.

As of the time of this report, the military had yet to yet to confirm the developments.