From Sola Ojo, Kaduna

Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, yesterday, condemned the destruction of the foundation laying structure of the proposed Army battalion Southern Kaduna by unknown persons and described the action as unfortunate.

A statement signed by Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Governor El-Rufai, Samuel Aruwan quoted El-Rufai as saying: “The conflict entrepreneurs are determined to continue to create obstacles and setback to our stabilization and peace building efforts.”

The statement continued: “I received the news with shock over the unfortunate destruction of foundation laying structure of 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 bloodletting in the southern part of Kaduna State.

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

In a similar reaction, another concerned group, Southern Kaduna Concerned Youth (SOKACOY), also described the development as a major set back to peace restoration agenda in Southern Kaduna by enemies of the troubled areas.

Coordinator of the group, Adamu Barde Kagarko, in a press conference said, “Our attention has  been drawn to the wicked act that was perpetrated by our enemies who have destroyed the Foundation of the military base that was laid by the Chief of Army Staff and His Excellency, Governor Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai in Kafanchan last weekend. We condemn it in its totality and we hope and pray that the perpetrators will be brought to book. It is very sad that when Government is making frantic efforts to secure our region, some enemies of the state from our region are carrying out these unwholesome acts for whatever reasons that is best known to them.”

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai and Governor El-Rufai had last week laid the foundation for the establishment of the battalion at Ungwan Yashi area of Zangon Kataf Local Government as a response to the incessant killings occurring in Southern Kaduna since 1980.