Hon. Hajara Condemns Zikke Massacre, Calls for Kaduna-Plateau Unity on Security. 

By Lawrence Zongo

The Speaker of the Kauru Legislative Council and Councillor for Kamaru Ward, Rt. Hon. Hajara S. Musa has issued a call for collaborative and proactive measures in response to the tragic incident in Zikke village, where at least 54 lives were lost due to an attack by unidentified gunmen. This attack, which occurred on Sunday night in Kimakpa Ward of Kwall District, has left a significant impact on local communities and emphasizes the pressing need for unified efforts to enhance security.

Among the victims were ten individuals from Kamaru Ward in Kauru LGA, Kaduna State, who had relocated to Zikke in search of safety from ongoing banditry in their hometowns. “This is not just a number; it reflects a profound loss felt within our entire community,” Rt. Hon. Hajara S. Musa remarked in a heartfelt press release on Monday, April 14.

In her expression of solidarity with the victims’ families and all those displaced, she extended her sincere condolences to the Governors of Plateau and Kaduna States—Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang and Senator Uba Sani—calling for a concerted approach towards achieving justice and accountability.

It is vital that we ensure accountability and prevent further loss of life

Hajara Musa emphasized the importance of a thorough and transparent investigation into the Zikke incident by the Federal Government and security agencies. “It is vital that we ensure accountability and prevent further loss of life,” she stated.

This tragic event highlights a broader issue of violence affecting Plateau State, with reports from Amnesty International indicating that 1,336 individuals lost their lives in similar circumstances between December 2023 and February 2024, including 533 women and 263 children. The Zikke massacre follows closely on the heels of a previous attack that claimed 52 lives, underscoring critical gaps in the nation’s security measures.

Amnesty International has also urged for meaningful action, stressing that mere statements are insufficient and that concrete measures for justice and accountability are essential following such atrocities.

In addition to addressing the immediate crisis, Rt. Hon. Hajara Musa has proposed constructive solutions. She called for the Plateau and Kaduna State Governments to collaborate in developing a comprehensive regional strategy to counteract the persistent wave of insecurity. “We must work together beyond the boundaries of ethnicity and politics to effectively confront these common challenges,” she urged.

We must work together beyond the boundaries of ethnicity and politics to effectively confront these common challenges

Furthermore, she encouraged the chairmen of Bassa and Kauru Local Government Areas to establish a cross-border *community policing task force*, harnessing local knowledge and fostering trust to strengthen traditional security frameworks. “Current strategies must evolve to empower our communities in the fight for safety,” she declared.

As affected communities navigate through grief and uncertainty, Hajara Musa’s message serves as both a call for justice and an inspiring rallying point for unity in the face of ongoing violence in central Nigeria.