The gruesome murder of a candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the Kaduna State Local Council Elections billed for October 19, 2024 is being condemned from several quarters.
Senator representing Kaduna South Senatorial District, Sunday Marshall Katung, Esq, as well as the Middle Belt Forum Kaduna State Chapter, are among those who have raised their voices in condemning the killings, which was said to have taken place on Sunday September 29.
In a statement he personally signed, titled, “The killing of the two brothers in Kauru Stands condemned” Senator Katung lamented that the PDP candidate, left behind children and a pregnant wife
“I received an alarming report about the gruesome killing of Raymond Timothy Adai, a councilorship candidate for Pari Ward in Kauru local government area of Kaduna State, for the October 19th LGA Elections, and his younger brother, James Timothy.
“Mr Adai, a councillor candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and his younger brother were attacked and killed on Sunday evening, 29th September 2024, while on their way back from a political Campaign in Kizachi Village of Pari ward. More worrisome is the fact that Mr Timothy left behind a pregnant wife and three children.
“I am saddened and appalled by this barbarity, which I condemn in its entirety. This ugly type of politics has no place in a civilised society like ours. It is unacceptable and must be rejected by all lovers of peace,” he said.
Senator Katung said that the government’s primary responsibility is the security and welfare of its people; and demanded a thorough investigation.
“Consequently, I wish to once again reiterate my previous call on the Government of Kaduna State to thoroughly investigate and address these recurrent security challenges in our State, especially in Kauru Local Government, to ensure that our citizens are well protected.
“While appreciating the security agencies for their prompt response on all issues of this nature, especially in our Senatorial District, I wish to urge them to fish out the killers of these two brothers and subject them to the full process of the law. The only way we can avenge this gruesome murder is by ensuring that the perpetrators are found and made to face the consequences of their actions,” he said.
He also appealed to citizens to provide helpful information to security agencies or traditional leaders to forestall acts like this.
The Senator extended deepest condolences to Mr Raymond’s wife, his children, the entire Timothy family, the people of Pari ward, and the entire Kauru local government on this great loss.
“I stand in solidarity with their family while praying for the peaceful repose of the souls of our brothers.
“I remain steadfast in my commitment to work with all stakeholders and security agencies to achieve lasting peace in our communities,” he said.
In a related development, the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Kaduna State Chapter, condemned in strong terms the murder of Adia 35-year old, Councilor candidate of the PDP in Pari ward, Kauru LGA of Kaduna State.
This was contained in a statement signed by Chairman, Middle Belt Forum, Kaduna State Chapter, Comrade Luka Binniyat, made available on Monday.
“According to reports reaching us, Adia was murdered alongside his brother, James, 32, on their way back home after a political event in Kisachi village on Sunday 29th September, 2024 while riding on a motorcycle.
“Adia, who was a graduate of Mass Communication, was a trader in fertiliser and allied agro-based farming inputs, had garnered popularity among locals for his generosity of spirit and community service, we were informed by several sources.
“According to reports reaching us, his killers did not take any of the huge sums of money found on him and his kid brother, James. Neither was the new motorcycle taken away, as bandits and robbers are wont to do.
“This, therefore, likely points to a politically motivated murder. If this stands so, then it calls for deep concern, since Southern Kaduna, which is a core part of the Middle Belt, may be sliding into a dangerous political trend that is all strange to our nature, civilisation and beliefs,” it said.
MBF recalled that in November, 2022, gunmen assassinated Mrs Victoria Chintex, the Women Leader of the Labour Party of Kaura LGA in Southern Kaduna at her home in Manchok town in a crime believed to be related to her rising political profile and that of her party in Kaura LGA.
“The MBF, Kaduna State chapter is urgently calling on law enforcement agencies to swing into action, fish out the murderers and bring them to justice.
“If politics is a call to service, sacrifice and risk taking for community, we see no reason why anyone would kill for that role.
Allowing this crime to fade away without consequences, will only encourage more of such evil in the future.
“We already have terrorism and sundry crimes we are yet to tackle, Southern Kaduna cannot add a new twist to insecurity in the land.
Unfortunately, the way elected and appointed political office holders flaunt their questionable new found wealth and suppress their constituents, the lure of such positions seems to be getting desperate in Southern Kaduna.
“We are therefore, appealing to all our members who are desirous in contesting for political offices to shun violence of any kind and play politics in the relative tolerant and civilised ways that politics has always been played in our areas in Kaduna State.
“We condole, once more the PDP family, the pregnant wife the deceased candidate and extended family; Pari ward and Kauru LGA.
“Kindly note that MBF, Kaduna State Chapter is made up of all residents of Kaduna State from all parts of the defunct Northern region who were not part of the Sokoto caliphate and Kanem Borno Empire in pre-independence Nigeria.
“That includes the following: the 12 LGAs of Southern Kaduna, Southern Kebbi, Southern Borno, South Bauchi, Niger State, Gombe State, Adamawa State, Taraba State, Benue State, Kogi State
Kwara State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nasarawa State and Plateau States.
“All indigenes of the aforementioned areas resident in Kaduna State fall under the MBF as its pan socio-cultural body,” the statement said .
