Politics
Reps To Probe Kaduna Killings
The House of Representatives yesterday, condemned the incessant attacks and killings by bandits in Kajuru area of Kaduna state and resolved to investigate the crisis.
This was sequel to a motion under matters of urgent national importance, moved by Rep. Yakubu Barde (Kaduna-PDP) at plenary.
Moving the motion, Barde, stated that recently, the activities of the bandits had taken a strange dimension becoming a major concern to the various communities in Kajuru area.
He said between February and March, over hundreds of lives had been lost with property worth millions of naira destroyed as well as several families displaced and rendered homeless.
The legislator expressed worry that the attacks and killings had become daily activity.
Barde said that in spite of the outcry of the people, no significant effort had been made to bring the situation under control, adding that pockets of killings were still going on in the area.
“It will surprise you to know that up to this moment as I speak, no arrest of these killers has been made by the security agents.
“Rather, over 59 armless youths and opinion leaders of Adara extraction are being remanded in prison without due process of the law for over a month now,” barde said.
Contributing to the motion, Rep. Nicholas Sarkin-Noma (Kaduna- PDP), said that the killings had resulted in impunity by the government and security agencies, saying that the government needed to be proactive about it.
The lawmaker, therefore, appealed to the House to look into the issue as the 8th National Assembly winds up.
The House, however, mandated security agencies to intensify efforts in stemming the tide of the attacks and killings and ensure that peace and normalcy returned to the area.
The House called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to quickly move to the affected communities with relief materials to alleviate the suffering of the displaced families.
The House also mandated its relevant committees to carry out thorough investigation on the crisis, to unravel the fundamental issues responsible for the unrest and proffer solution for lasting peace in the area.
During a press conference held in Owerri, the coalition called the campaign a “dangerous and shameful display” designed to distract the public from the governor’s performance in office.
The CSOs directly linked the Greater Imo Initiative (GII) —the group that made the allegations on September 4, 2025—to Governor Uzodimma, describing the group as his “mouthpiece and attack dog.”
“Every word spoken against INEC was spoken on his behalf.
“By falsely alleging that Professor Yakubu has an alliance with Dr. Amadi to compromise the 2027 elections, Uzodimma has not only maligned a man of proven integrity but also assaulted the very foundation of our democracy”, said Dr Agbo Frederick, speaking for the coalition.
The coalition described Professor Yakubu as a “beacon of electoral professionalism” and called the attempt to soil his reputation “defamatory and a national security risk.”
They also defended Dr. Amadi, a “respected development scholar,” stating that the governor’s accusations were “laughable, desperate, and dangerous.”
The CSOs see the motive behind the campaign as an attempt to “silence the dissent, intimidate the opposition, and divert attention from the governor’s abysmal record in office.”
The coalition issued four key demands to Governor Uzodimma: An immediate retraction of the false and defamatory allegations against Professor Mahmood Yakubu and Dr. Chima Amadi.
- A public apology to both men within seven days, to be published in at least three national newspapers and broadcast on major television networks.
- An end to diversionary tactics and proxy propaganda.
- A renewed focus on governance, including addressing insecurity, unemployment, and poverty in Imo State.
The CSOs warned that failure to comply would force them to “review our position with a view to seeking legal redress from Governor Uzodimma for defamation, false accusation, and reckless endangerment of lives.”
“Governor Uzodimma must be reminded that he did not find himself in the seat of power to chase shadows.
“We call on all Nigerians to reject Uzodimma’s diversionary antics as they are nothing short of desperate plots by a government terrified of accountability”, the statement concluded.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC expressed concern that preventing the senator from resuming her legislative duties violates democratic principles and disenfranchises her constituents.
“The suspension, having been imposed by the Senate and not a court of law, has lapsed. Any further attempt to prevent her from resuming is therefore both illegal and morally indefensible,” Mallam Abdullahi said.
The party noted that denying Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan access to the chamber silences the voice of the people who elected her, adding that the withdrawal of her salary, aides, and office access during the suspension amounted to excessive punishment.
The ADC also criticised the Clerk of the National Assembly for declining to process her resumption on grounds that the matter was before the courts, arguing that the Clerk’s role was administrative, not judicial.
“Administrative caution must not translate into complicity. When the administrative machinery becomes hostage to political interests, the institution itself is diminished,” the party stated.
Highlighting that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan is one of only four women in the 109-member Senate, the ADC warned that the handling of the case sends a discouraging signal about gender inclusion in Nigerian politics.
“Any action that resembles gender intimidation of the few women in the Senate would only discourage women’s participation. Nigeria cannot claim to be a democracy while excluding half of its population from key decision-making spaces,” Mallam Abdullahi added.
The ADC insisted that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan be allowed to resume her seat immediately, stressing that the matter was about more than one individual.
“What is at stake here is not just one Senate seat, but the integrity of our democracy itself,” the party said.