Security chiefs meet with governor

Chief of Defence Staff Air Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin and Acting Inspector General of Police Mohammed Dikko Abubakar were in Kaduna yesterday.

They came to see the devastation of last Sunday’s attacks, comfort the bereaved and assure all that security agents will continue to ensure that those hiding under religion to foment trouble are brought to book.

With the security chiefs were senior military and police personnel.

Kaduna has been engulfed by crisis since last Sunday’s suicide bombings in Zaria and Kaduna.

The security chiefs, who met with Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, praised the state government for the way it has handled the crisis so far. After the meeting, the security chiefs went round the metropolis to see things for themselves.

Calm is gradually returning to the city after three days of tension. Streets are deserted by residents who have been forced to remain indoors because of the 24 hours curfew imposed on the state by the government.

Investigations revealed that despite the gradual return of calm, there is palpable tension in some parts of the metropolis as residents complain about “fake soldiers” unleashing terror on people.

Although this could not be confirmed as at press time yesterday, the alleged fake soldiers were said to have shot some people in Malali.

However, residents who were caught unaware by the crisis are grappling with hunger as the markets and the banks have remained closed due to the curfew. ATM machines have run out of cash.

Two men who managed to get to one of the ATM machines located in the Kaduna south branch of Access Bank was seen throwing his hands into the air in frustration after being unable to collect money from the machine.

The one of them who refused to identify himself said “I have been to all the banks around here to use my ATM card to collect money, but I cannot. Look at the hardship this nonsense is putting us through. We just came out of the weekend into this mess. Even when I wanted to collect money yesterday, I could not because of long queues and the subsequent confusion in the town.

“I don’t even know what we are going to eat today because we don’t even have food at home. If these mad people don’t kill us, then hunger will definitely kill us. I want to appeal to those responsible for this to please give peace a chance.”

The popular Station Market where fruits are sold was deserted as traders hurriedly abandoned their goods when the crisis broke out.

Majority of vehicles seen on the road yesterday when The Nation went round the city were security vehicles with heavily armed security personnel.

Some security operatives were seen using commercially painted buses, while some operatives were stationed at strategic positions around the city, with a bit more heavy security presence seen around the Sabon Tasha market which was vandalised.

There were no indications last night that the government would relax the curfew to enable residents buy food.

Besides hunger, people are grappling with the lack of pipe borne water. There has been no supply from the Water Board since the crisis began.

 By Tony Akowe, Kaduna          Courtesy Of: The Nation