Arrest of Kaduna businessman divides two communities

Release him and see serious crisis from our side – warn Christians
Release him and apologise for the sake of Peace – Muslims ummnahLast month, a sniper opened fire at armed soldiers from a compound in Trikania- suburb of Kaduna lying along a “fault line” that divides the largely rundown, low income area into Hausa Fulani Muslims on one hand, and a mix of Christians from all over Nigeria on the southern part of the settlement.

The man, according to Lt. Col Abubakar Edun, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, was repelling a cordon-and-search operation on the compound located at opposite the IBBL company, Trikania owned by one Alh. Nuhu Mohammed Marafa (54).

Marafa is a wealthy petrol dealer and one time Kaduna state Chairman of the powerful Petroleum Tankers Drivers (PTD).
According to Edun, the sniper was part of stone-throwing, barricade-setting miscreants that puts resistance against the entry and search of Marafa’s compound.

He said that after exchanging fire with the man, later indentified as Yusuf Nuhu Mohammed, son of Marafa, the soldiers did not bring him down, because he scaled over the wall of the compound from behind and escaped among a horde of unarmed urchins who would have been shot along with him. In order words, he was smart to use the fleeing lads as a shield.

The soldiers, Edun said, were acting under the instruction of General Commanding Officer (GOC) 1 Division after, “the activities of one Alh. Nuhu Mohammed Marafa attracted the attention of the Nigerian Army bordering on issues of national security”, he said. “ Specifically, it has to do with gun_running and suspected association with and support for a terrorist group”, he said.

After gaining entry into the massive compound with high fence, the soldiers arrested Marafa and one of his sons who put no resistance on the 14th January, 2012 around 10pm.

Two days later, they were paraded in chains before the press. Spread before them was a small size arsenal, to confirm the claims of the soldiers. Among the arms were:
* 1 Improvised Explosive Devis (IED) which the Army said was a bomb.
* 1 Pump Action gun, 17 barrel gun cartridges, six different types ammunition of various quantities.

Others were 2 Double edged Special Axes, 3 machetes, 2 metal bows, 3 long wooden clubs, and Army uniforms including two dog tags belonging to the Nigerian Army.

More items were 10 pairs of vehicle numbers, a computer bag containing GSM accessories, including a novel, “The Last Duty” by Isidore Okpewho.

The Army said they would hold them in legal custody until it finished its investigation before handing them over to the Police.

This development sent two spontaneous reactions from the community. The Christian side of Trikania, danced, sang and hailed Jesus Christ for the arrest of the man they described as, “a perennial terrorist, who had been responsible for the massacre of their folks and the burning of homes and churches in the area, since 2000. They wished never to set eyes on him again, promising “serious crisis” should the man be set free at anytime

But the Muslim Umnah in Trikania protested the arrest, describing the man as pious, kind and loving person that had been the wrong target of the Army as a result of conspiracy between his enemies and soldiers. They demanded for his immediate release and apology from the Army.



One of his lawyers, Barr. Mohammed Sani Katu, even addressed a Press Conference that afternoon and swore that Army had embarked on a “dumb” and illegal operation, saying that Marafa was a law abiding citizen who had a license to show for the possession of the gun found in his house.

“What kind of soldiers numbering over a 100 would not capture a lone gunman?”, he asked cynically.
“The whole thing is shrouded in lies and conspiracy just because the man wants to contest the fourth coming elections”, he said.

The next day, under the banner of Trikania Christian Community, the Christian addressed a Press Conference and praised what they described as a “gallant, timely and very important arrest” of Marafa, whom they said is known as Babawo in the area.
Chairman of the Community, Mr. Nuhu Ibrahim, told the Press that they have written several petitions to the Governor of Kaduna state, the Commissioner of Police of the state, State Security Services and even the Nigerian Army about what he said had been the impunity with which Marafa violently took the law into his hands.

“To us, he is perennial terrorist who had been allegedly responsible for the massacre of our people here and the burning of homes and churches here, since 2000. His arrest is timely and important to us.

“His army of thugs were the ones who protested on the Nnamdi Azikiwe Express Way (Bye_pass), blocking the road when he was arrested by the army. These boys have been harassing and raping our women and girls. We have rescued many women from them on several occasions. Once it is night, it is dangerous for us to follow that road. These are streets boys being fed and armed by Babawo and he protects them against the law because he his highly connected with some people in power.

“Even when the police arrested these hoodlums, Babawo will just put a call through and the next day they are released. These boys are so deadly that nobody dares them. They have been clashing with the men of the Operation Yaki on several occasions.

“In the night they will smoke their marijuana and take dangerous drugs and block the junction which is the only road leading to our area and begin to molest people. We have appealed to the state government to build a security post here and deploy soldiers here to ensure security of lives and property but our efforts have not yielded any result

“We hear that he is using his money to engage lawyers. We hear that his friends in power are trying to get him released. We want to warn that it will be a bad decision to release him. Becouse we know his atrocity during all past religious and political riots started by them. There will be serious crisis hear once we hear that he has been released”, he said.

On learning about this, the Muslim Community also called the Press a day after the Christians had theirs.
The spokesperson of the community and Chairman of Trikania/Nasarawa Ummah Forum, Alhaji Yusuf Yunus, dismissed the allegation leveled against the suspects, saying they (Babawo and son) were known to be peaceful, law abiding and patriotic citizens in Trikani

“This is the fifth operation of search in the residence of Marafa since 2000. This time we can see the conspiracy, deceit and lies all in a desperate bid to get at an innocent man.

“Marafa’s son Musa is detained by the military as an accomplice when he only went to check on his father.
“This is a dirty plan to dislodge us from here by our hostile (Christain) neighbours. Government must investigate the matter and release them in the interest of peace and stability.

The military authorities should release them and apologise to our community for the illegal arrest and detention of our members. This is very important in the interest of peace here”, he said.

Tension has continued to rise in the two communities as the soldiers held on to Marafa for over two weeks.
But last Thursday, his family sued the Army over his detention.

Council to the family, Barrister Bello Ibrahim said that the family were seeking an order of the court to have access to him, claiming he was suffering from a heart related ailment, besides, “his continued detention was illegal”

He argued that, “ my client needs the attention of a medical doctor to examine him because of his sickness. He is diabetic and is suffering from high blood pressure and so requires medication for his sickness. Till now we don’t know if the Army are giving him that.

“He has been incarcerated for over three weeks now since 14 February; he is separated from his family and dear ones; the general public whom he stands to serve and his businesses.

“This is another violation of his fundamental human right; He should be allowed access to his counsel any time or as when the counsel chooses to see him. Till today we have not been allowed to see him.

“The military detained him without taking him to court. We don’t think a military can prosecute a civilian in court but we know of court marshal where military try their officers.

“Our prayers are before the court and we expect them to respond. If the court finds out that his fundamental rights were violated the constitution provides for compensation.”

However, defence counsel, Biola Oyebanji however told the court that they needed time to properly brief the Army headquarters since they informed about the case just two days ago, a prayer which the court granted.

The presiding Judge, Justice Lucia Ojukwu then adjourned the case to 8th February, 2012 for continuation of the case.
This development has stirred some anxiety among the Christians Community. Magnus Albert, one of the residents told Saturday Vanguard that they would task themselves and engage their lawyers to ensure that Marafa faces justice.

“We have enough evidence to support any lawyer. It will be an easy case. Marafa can only be released from the Army to the Prison. We want to promise his people this time that his time has come”, he said.

Daily Jokes | Free Forex Signals | Ibadan City Network (Forum) | Small Business Guide