Jega Violence: Kebbi APC Demands Full Probe, Vows No Shield for Culprits

The All Progressives Congress (APC), in Kebbi has demanded a full, thorough and impartial investigation into the recent violence and destruction recorded in parts of Jega Local Government Area of the state.
Alhaji Isah Assalafi, Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, made the demand at a press briefing on the incident in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday.
He said the party condemned every act of violence, destruction of property, intimidation and criminality connected with the disturbance, “regardless of the political affiliation, identity or status of those involved.”
According to him, Jega has a long history of active political participation and remains an important community in the state, and the actions of a minority must not be allowed to create a false impression about the character of its people.
” We call on the security agencies to investigate the incident comprehensively, establish the facts surrounding what happened, identify those responsible and ensure that anyone found culpable faces the full consequences of the law,” he said.
Assalafi expressed particular concern over the reported political dimension of the violence, saying political competition was a normal feature of democracy but must never degenerate into confrontation.
” Political differences are not a licence for criminality.
” Democracy is not a platform for violence. No political objective can justify the destruction of lives, property or public peace,” he said.
The publicity secretary cautioned political actors, supporters and stakeholders against inflammatory statements, deliberate misinformation and actions capable of heightening tension in Jega or any other part of the state.
He added that ,” Dialogue and lawful engagement, not violence, must remain the avenue for resolving disagreements.”
He commended security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders and residents whose efforts contributed to the restoration of calm, and urged them to remain vigilant.
Assalafi said any investigation of the incident should be transparent, adding that accountability must be based on evidence and not on speculation, political affiliation or public pressure.
He said the APC-led administration of Gov. Nasir Idris of Kebbi remained focused on the implementation of programmes and projects aimed at improving the lives of citizens.
He stressed that sustaining peace and security was fundamental to the achievement of those objectives.
The party spokesman sympathised with residents and others who suffered losses in the violence, and urged the relevant authorities to continue to provide appropriate assistance and protection to those affected.
He called on political parties and their leaders to take responsibility for the conduct of their supporters, reject political thuggery in all its forms and publicly commit to peaceful democratic engagement.
Assalafi also urged the people of Jega and the state at large not to allow political differences to divide their communities, to refuse recruitment into acts of destruction and to report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
” To all political actors, our message is equally clear: contest elections with ideas, persuade the people with your record and programmes, and accept the rules of democratic engagement,” he said.
He said the party would continue to support every lawful effort to protect lives, secure communities and preserve democratic participation across the state, insisting that criminality must be treated as criminality regardless of who was involved.
“Jega must remain peaceful. Kebbi must remain peaceful. Democracy must prevail over violence, and the law must prevail over impunity,” Assalafi said.
He urged all stakeholders to join hands immediately to restore confidence, strengthen community peace and ensure that such incidents did not recur.