El-Rufai condemns recent lynching of two Fulani herdsmen in Birnin Gwari by irate mob

GOVERNOR Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has caused more controversy by condemning the recent lynching of two cattle herdsmen by an irate mob in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of the state yesterday.

Kaduna State has been terribly affected by the spate of kidnapping, banditry and terror afflicting Nigeria, with abductions and killings taking place on a daily basis. Earlier this year, it was reported that the hoodlums operating in the Birnin Gwari area were charging local communities as much N400m if they wanted to live in peace.

However, it appears that the bandits have become more daring of late and have thus decided to increase their fees. Last week, Ishaq Usman Kasai, the chairman of the Birnin Gwari Emirate Progressive Union, explained that the bandits had threatened the farmers that they risked being abducted from their farms if they failed to pay an additional sum of N12m.

With tensions running high in the area, local farmers have decided to defend themselves as the authorities appear totally overwhelmed by the situation. Samuel Aruwan, the Kaduna State commissioner for internal security and home affairs, said the mob forcefully seized two herders allegedly linked to banditry and killed them.

Mr Aruwan added: “The mob then lynched and burnt the herders, even though they had not been found complicit in the allegations. The governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has condemned in the strongest terms the killing of two herders by a mob in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area."

According to Mr Aruwan, the governor strongly expressed concern over the extra-judicial killing of the herders. While appealing to families of the victims to remain calm, the governor directed security operatives to embark on a thorough investigation of the matter.

“Security agencies reported that the mob forcefully seized the two herders from security personnel, on unsubstantiated claims that they were linked with banditry. The mob then lynched and burnt the herders, even though they had not been found complicit in the allegations.

“Governor El-Rufai expressed deep concern at the violent actions of the mob and strongly condemned the extra-judicial killings. He reiterated the place of lawful methods as the only acceptable option in confronting any suspicions of criminality.

“The governor appealed to the families of the victims to remain calm, and directed security agencies to conduct thorough investigations towards fishing out the perpetrators. In addition, the governor has also directed the ministry of internal security and home affairs to liaise with the military, police and Department of State Security to contact the victims’ families for further engagements toward averting counter-attacks.”

“Also, the governor cautioned against further actions of self-help and warned against dangerous stereotyping, labelling and similar lawless dispositions capable of stirring up violence. He renewed appeals for consistent recourse to constituted agencies.

“Similarly, the government has received reports from security agencies regarding the conduct of some individuals and groups in the general area, who unwittingly complicate the security situation with insensitive public commentaries. Such actions have been judged by security agencies as unhelpful in the ongoing operations against terrorists and bandits," he added.