Security agencies have arrested 18 persons in connection with the mayhem that occurred on Monday in Kasuwan Magani, in Kajuru local government area of Kaduna State.
This was announced as a team from the Kaduna State Security Council, including the GOC 1 Division, the commissioner of Police and the State Director of the SSS visited Kasuwan Magani today.
The security team assessed the damage, spoke to residents and received detailed briefings from the security agencies deployed to restore calm in the town.
“Today a team from the Kaduna State Security Council visited Kasuwan Magani. The team, led by the General Officer Commanding, I Division Nigerian Army, Major General Mohammed Mohammed, included Commissioner of Police Austin Iwar, State Director of Department of State ServicesMohammed Wakil, Commander Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, AM Bunu, Special Adviser on Internal Security, Col. Yakubu Yusuf (rtd) and Samuel Aruwan, Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity.
“The GOC tasked religious and traditional leaders to deepen the message of peace and integration, and tasked community leaders and residents not to undermine and destroy the four decades of togetherness and peaceful coexistence in the area. He assured community leaders, that security agencies will continue to work for lasting peace, law and order in the area.”
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Austin Iwar, also briefed journalists, confirming the arrest of 18 persons. Iwar said that the police “have arrested 18 persons in connection with the unfortunate crisis. The 18 persons are undergoing interrogation and we are strengthening security presence in the area.”
Samuel Aruwan, Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, told reporters that the “government of Kaduna State welcomes the news of arrests and urges prompt conclusion of investigations so that indicted persons can be prosecuted.”
Aruwan noted that the government has repeatedly urged “citizens not to resort self-help but to report all complaints to the security agencies and the government. Peace-building requires that all parties choose to abide by the law.”
