BREAKING: Frustrated Youths Protest Killings, Kidnappings In Kaduna

Tired by the spate of killings and kidnappings in Kaduna State, youths from the southern part of the state protested the deteriorating security under the watchful eye of the state’s governor and chief security officer, Nasir el-Rufai, on Saturday morning.

The instability in the North-West state, according to the youths who assembled at the Unity Fountain in Abuja under the auspices of the Southern Kaduna People’s Union, was growing serious. As a result, the teenagers urged that the security forces, as well as all levels of government, awaken immediately from their deep slumber.

The youngsters held banners with various phrases printed on them to hammer home their points that the situation in Kaduna has become unbearable.

Jane Thomas-Rogers, one of the youths who spoke with The PUNCH, said the governor must accept his role and protect the people.

Amid tears, an emotional Thomas-Rogers said, “Children are being raped, women are being raped, people are being killed. Governor Nasir el-Rufai, you need to stand up to your responsibilities and protect lives and properties. For how long is this going to continue? We are tired of these; the killings must end.

“Kidnapping here and there. Before now, kidnapping was an occurrence on Abuja road but right now, it has moved to Southern Kaduna.

“People cannot sleep with their eyes closed, we are scared of going to Kaduna. Just recently, my cousin was kidnapped, we had to pay ransom before he was released; we couldn’t sleep.

“What is happening? And our governor does not even have sympathy for our plight as a people. This carnage must stop, enough is this.

“We are calling the attention of the international community to this. Our government is sleeping, something must be done.

“We call on all Nigerians to speak up against this. It started in Southern Kaduna, it can reach your doorstep tomorrow.”

“Right now, there is a protest going on and you can see security men all over but when there is killing, kidnapping, you won’t see any of them. What is happening? We the youths are tired, enough of this,” she added.

Details later…