Press Statement
11/04/2019
The Adara Development Association have decried the cycle of killings that is bedevilling Kajuru and other parts of Southern Kaduna. The Association noted that a new wave of killings broke out and has refused to abate since the State government’s pronouncement of “66 (and then later increased to 130) killings”. Since then there have been numerous arrests, and where preliminary investigation do not even remotely link suspects to the incident, they are still detained. Victims and Activists who have lend their voices in condemning the arbitrary handling of the arrests are either threatened with arrests or prosecution. Twenty three (23) Adara children most of whom are below 18years have been in prison custody since September 2018 without trial when prisons should not even accept underage children. This is in addition to our nine chiefs and elders that have been locked up without any justifiable reason.
Officials of Adara Development Association who are not in prison are now being hunted. These include Luka Waziri Esq, Sebastine Barde, James Auta, Bitrus Maiwando and Augustine Jankaro who are being sought to be arrested merely by reason of their identity and affiliation.
Also, there is credible information that the Kaduna State Governor intends to trump up charges against a former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, merely for speaking against the government’s handling of the security situation in Kajuru. The procuring of abduction and disappearance of the named persons and others sought to be persecuted by the government under legal artifices have no basis in justice or due process. We therefore strongly demand that the Kaduna state government desists from using State apparatus as a means of settling whatever perceived scores it may have.
Thank you.
Signed: Mr. James Auta
National Vice        President, Adara Development Association.
Luka Waziri Esq
Asst.Secretary, Adara Development Association.
