TheCable

Two herders have been set ablaze by a mob over alleged link to banditry in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna.

A crowd was said to have forcefully seized the herders from security personnel before setting them ablaze.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by Samuel Aruwan, commissioner for internal security and home affairs in the state, Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna, condemned the killing of the herders.

“The governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i, has condemned in the strongest terms the killing of two herders by a mob in Birnin Gwari LGA,” the statement reads.

“Security agencies reported that the mob forcefully seized the two herders from security personnel, on unsubstantiated claims that they were linked with banditry.

“The mob then lynched and burnt the herders, even though they had not been found complicit of the allegations.

“Governor El-Rufai expressed deep concern at the violent actions of the mob, and strongly condemned the extra-judicial killings. He re-iterated the place of lawful methods as the only acceptable option in confronting any suspicions of criminality.

“The Governor appealed to the families of the victims to remain calm, and directed security agencies to conduct thorough investigations towards fishing out the perpetrators.

“The Governor has also directed the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs to liaise with the military, police and DSS to contact the victims’ families for further engagements toward averting counter-attacks.

“The Governor cautioned against further actions of self-help, and warned against dangerous stereotyping, labeling and similar lawless dispositions capable of stirring up violence.”

Aruwan also warned against “insensitive public commentaries”, adding that such actions are unhelpful in the ongoing operations against banditry.

“While the government of Kaduna State is not against commentaries on security challenges, the Government’s position remains that individuals and groups with useful information should liaise with security agencies, rather than expose citizens to extreme danger through supposed advocacy,” he said.

Aruwan added that investigation into the lynching is ongoing.