2011 polls violence: Kaduna survivors still crying The violence that erupted in the aftermath of the 2011 elections in many northern states left at least 800,000 people dead and property worth billions of naira in ruins. The destruction was sparked off by demonstration: party supporters protesting perceived manipulation of their vote. But the protests turned into violent clashes, which quickly escalated into ethno-religious clashes in some areas. The clashes lasted three days in most of the states during which hundreds of families were displaced while thousands of children were orphaned. About 65,000 people were estimated to have been displaced in the violence. They sought refuge mainly in army formations, police barracks as well as churches and mosques where relief materials were distributed to them by aid organizations, government agencies and individuals. Kaduna is one of the states hardest hit by the crisis alongside Kano, Jigawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Yobe, Katsina, Niger Adamawa and Borno. The state government imposed a curfew on Kaduna town, Kafanchan and other places shortly after the polls to restrict movement and further escalation. Soldiers deployed on major roads, stepping up patrol and aerial surveillance. Federal government set up a panel of inquiry consisting policy makers, religious leaders and traditional rulers in May 2011 to investigate the clashes, proffer solutions and make recommendations. Five months after, the panel, headed by Dr. Sheikh Ahmed Lemu, submitted its reports in which it identified the causes and solutions to election violence. One of the recommendations was to arrest and prosecute those found to be responsible in the clashes. Police in Kaduna reportedly arrested over 400 people in connection to the violence but failed to disclose whether or not anyone was charged with any offence. Both the Kaduna State and the federal governments pledged to aid displaced persons and those who lost property during the three -day clashes. The state government had fulfilled its pledge by providing financial support to the displaced persons, especially those sheltered at the state Muslims Pilgrims’ Camp in Mando but it had not made any far-reaching resettlement arrangement. However, four years after the violence, the federal government hasn’t given any support to the victims in Kaduna despite several protest rallies. Many of the victims said there were no attempts by the government to provide justice and reparation to them. Those affected by the clashes formed a pressure group, Kaduna State Coalition of Victims of 2011 Post-Election Violence, basically to pressure government to attend to their demands. The group staged a peace protest recently in Kaduna where members voiced their concerns and threatened to boycott upcoming elections if federal government remains adamant. Leader of the group, Mohammed Dan-Azimi Zonkwa said during the protest that Kaduna state suffered 80 percent of the casualties as indicated by the Lemu panel report and that “government promised to compensate the victims.” He said about nine states have received various sums of money from the federal government as compensation to the victims of the violence but Kaduna state victims have yet to get their benefits. “We are highly surprised that Kaduna state is yet to be paid,” said Zonkwa. He appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero to ensure that monies earmarked for violence victims are released to them. In a swift reaction to the appeal, Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo said during the 40th anniversary celebration of the coronation of the Emir of Zazzau, Dr. Shehu Idris, in Zaria that N3 billion was released recently as benefits for the victims of the 2011 violence in Kaduna and was in Kaduna state’s custody, to be shared out to beneficiaries. Two weeks after Sambo’s pronouncement, Weekly Trust contacted some of the victims to substantiate if they were given any financial assistance by the federal government. Mr. Dominic Okike was the leader of Ebonyi state indigenes living in Zaria and started a business dealing in motorcycle spare parts in the town since 1984. He owned three shops in Kofan Doka where he sold motorcycles accessories before the election. “I have lived in Zaria with family since 1984. My three shops in Kofan Doka with spare parts worth over N12 million were destroyed during the 2011 election violence. One of the stores was actually torched by a mob while the other two were looted and I lost everything inside.” Mr. Luka Auta is an indigene of Jema’a Local Governmen Area who lived in Kaduna town before the violence erupted. He said his house and cars were burnt in the violence and he was only lucky to have escaped alive. He too hasn’t got any support. Sheriff Kassim said as the violence ended in Kafanchan, a number of homes, mosques, churches and shops were burnt while several people were killed. “Two of my clothing-and-fashion shops located near the motor park were burnt. Again, my Volkswagen Golf car was also set alight during the two days of rioting.” He said government promised to provide assistance to those whose assets were destroyed shortly after the violence but four years after, the pledge has not been redeemed, causing anxiety among the victims. “Government should help end the suffering caused by the violence,” Kassim. Kadija Bankole said her house and shop were razed in Kafanchan, adding that she had to seek refuge in her friend’s house where she has lived with her children for four years now. “My house located on Number 6, Funtua Street was burnt. My provision shops were also burnt,” Bankole remembered. She, like many other victims of the violence said she has not received any form of assistance from the government in spite of assurances given by the government for compensation
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 04:40:39 +0000
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