Nigerian Army base foundation structure destroyed in Southern Kaduna, El Rufai kicks...

A foundation laying structure for the proposed Nigerian Army Battalion at Ungwan Yashi area of Zangon Kataf local government in Southern Kaduna has been destroyed by unknown persons.

The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, and Governor El-Rufai had last Saturday, February 4, laid the foundation for the establishment of the battalion as a response to the incessant killings occurring in Southern Kaduna.

But the structure was destroyed by unidentified persons barely one week after the foundation was laid.

Reacting to the destruction, Governor Nasiru El-Rufai, in a statement through his spokesman, Samuel Aruwan on Saturday, February 11, described the situation as unfortunate, adding that the attack further confirmed that the conflict entrepreneurs are determined to create obstacles and setback, to the stabilisation and peace building efforts of the state and federal government, Channels TV reports.

He said: “I received the news with shock over the unfortunate destruction of foundation laid for the proposed Nigerian Army Battalion in Southern Kaduna.

‘‘The very structure we erected to establish the long-awaited Army Barracks to assist promotion of peace and end the decades of senseless blood-shedding, in the southern part of Kaduna State.

“The situation is unfortunate, condemnable and a setback to the government’s communal stabilization and peace building efforts, but we will not be deterred."

The governor urged those who cherish peaceful coexistence to continue to be resilient, focused and resolute in overcoming antics of forces of darkness and evil.

He said those that carried out the destruction were determined to derail the contributions of the security agencies, “having failed to spread their tentacles of hate, bigotry and penchant for divisiveness.

El-Rufai said the government in collaboration with security agencies, civil society, religious and traditional institutions will continue to work assiduously for peace and security of life and property.

He promised that all those responsible for the destruction of the structure will not go free.

‘‘The security agencies will fish out the perpetrators, and those found to be involved, or engaged in omissions that led to the destruction of public property will be brought to justice without fear or favour,” he said.

Meanwhile, Southern Kaduna people said they are ready and willing to dialogue with people attacking their communities according to Daily Post.

This is according to the President of Southern Kaduna Peoples' Union (SOKAPU), Solomon Musa.

Musa who spoke during a meeting with the Global Peace Foundation of Nigeria (GPFN) at SOKAPU office in Kaduna said the union is ready and willing to dialogue with people attacking them.