El-Rufai inaugurates Committee to probe Kajuru, Kachia killings

Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has inaugurated a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the violent conflict and killings in Kajuru and Kachia Local Government Areas of the state.

The commission is headed by Justice Isa Aliyu, a judge of the Kaduna State High Court while Edward Andow, Director of Commercial Law in the Ministry of Justice, would serve as secretary and Mr. M.I. Aliyu, Director of Citizens Right Department, will serve as Counsel for the Commission.

Other members of the commission included, Air Vice Marshal Abdullahi Shehu (retd.) was Deputy Defence Attaché at the Nigerian High Commission in London and was later Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Mr. B. C. Osuji (former Assistant Director, Kaduna State Command of the DSS), AIG UU Shehu (retd.), a former Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, a former Head of Service of the state, Mrs. Hannatu Ugah.

Others are a former Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ferguson Bobai (retd.), Alhaji. Auwal Aliyu Damau , a retired Permanent Secretary in the Kaduna State Civil Service, Muhammad Sani Isa( a Director in the Interfaith Mediation Centre), Rev. Yusuf Biniyat(Senior Pastor of the ECWA Church and was Executive Secretary of the ECWA Kaduna South District Church Council and Salim Musa Umar (an associate of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue).

The governor had in March announced the establishment of the commission following the persistent killings in these areas which are gateway to the southern part of the state, Plateau, Nasarawa as well as Benue states.

On Wednesday at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna, the governor while inaugurating the members of the commission, stressed the need for the communities involved in the violence to embrace peace and harmony.

He also emphasised on the need for members of the warring communities to respect one another, noting that community leaders should encourage their people to live above division, embrace common humanity and respect the right of everyone to life, liberty, and legitimate livelihoods.

“The toll of death and suffering does not have to continue, if everyone does their duty for peace and harmony,” he added.

El-Rufai, also charged members of the commission not only the establish the facts of the conflicts but to also assist the government and the communities involved to advance peace and justice.

He said members of the commission were picked for the assignment based on their knowledge of the state, expertise on the areas of security management, conflict, and peacebuilding.