Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU)
Press Statement
11th June, 2020.
Yesterday (10th June, 2020), in the morning, Yusuf Moses Magaji, 32, and father of two walked to his farm just on the outskirts of Zangon Kataf town, in Zangon Kataf LGA in the Southern part of Kaduna state and did not return as he was later discovered murdered.
Yusuf, a teacher and tsam by tribe, is the son of retired Rev. Musa Magaji who resides at Kibori in Zamandabo ward of the local government. It is close to Zangon Kataf town.
It was from there that Yusuf had left to the farm and his failure to return home hours longer that he ought to, generated curiosity.
Already, Hausa-Fulani community of Zangon Kataf had warned Atyap natives from cultivating some farmlands near the town which they have been claiming ownership. This led to a near clash between Atyap youths of Unguwan Wakili and those of Hausa-Fulani community last week.
So it was under this uncertain condition of insecurity that Yusuf went to the farm that morning.
His non return therefore prompted youths to go to the farm to find out why he had not returned.
Upon reaching the farm, Yusuf was not found, but a pool of blood, his phone and shoes were seen at the same place on the farm. A search party was dispatched to look for him.
In the early hours of today, his body was found dumped in a bush near a river that is the boundary between Zangon kataf and Kauru LGAs.
He had been slaughtered like a ram.
His body was recovered by a combined team of the police and soldiers and has been deposited at the mortuary in St. Louis hospital, Zonkwa.
SOKAPU condemns this heinous crime in no small terms and we call for the immediate investigation of this evil so that the killers can be brought to face justice.
While we commend the swift move of our traditional rulers and community leaders in calming down our tensed youths, we want to appeal to security agencies to be cautious in handling the situation.
We are however calling on our members in Zangon Kataf and Kauru LGAs to stay calm and not take the law into their hands, so as not to give reason further breakdown of law and order.
The issue of ownership of farmlands between Hausa settlers of Zangon Kataf town and their long term Atyap host has been a subject of concern to us in the past two years.
Government must take proactive measures to ensure that a sustainable solution agreed by the two parties is reached.
Sign: Luka Binniyat
National Public Relations officer
