Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El Rufai, has obtained a bench warrant from the court to arrest the northern leaders who signed the October 1st, 2017, quit notice given to the Igbos despite the withdrawal of the notice.
A coalition of Northern groups, including the Arewa youth Consultative Forum led by Shettima Yerima, had in July given all Igbos in the Northern state a three – month ultimatum to quit or be forced out after expiration of the notice.
The declaration was signed by Nastura Ashir Sharif (Arewa Citizens Action for Change); Ambassador Shettima Yerima (Arewa Youth Consultative Forum); Aminu Adam (Arewa Youth Development Foundation); Alfred Solomon (Arewa Students Forum); and Abdul-Azeez Suleiman (Northern Emancipation Network) as well as Joshua Viashman (Northern Youth Vanguard).
Senior Special Assistant on media and Publicity, Mr Samuel Aruwan, while addressing a press conference at the Sir Kasim Ibrahim Government house, promised the residents of safety, peace and harmony.
Aruwan said the Kaduna State Government has taken the necessary actions to stop every activity that will threaten the liberty of citizens.
He said, “The government has obtained a bench warrant for their arrest, after filing a formal criminal complaint. ”
Aruwan added, “The Kaduna State Government notes, with commendation, the efforts of the residents of our diverse state to uphold peace in their communities.
” The government and the security agencies are working to prevent any threat to this cherished harmony.
” Vigorous security patrols will continue as part of concrete actions to reassure residents and demonstrate that bad behaviour is unwelcome and will not be tolerated.
“When some elements barged into our state capital to deliver an illegal ultimatum to a section of our community, the government condemned it and ordered the arrest of those concerned.
“The Kaduna State Government followed up with a formal criminal complaint to the police, and has obtained a bench warrant against them.
” Therefore, anybody that sights them or is aware of their location should proudly discharge the civic duty of informing the police.
“The criminal complaint specifies the sections of the recently updated Penal Code Law of Kaduna State, 2017 that were violated by those that issued the illegal ultimatum.
“These include inciting disturbance:Section 78; disturbing public peace: Section 77; injurious falsehood: Section 373; unlawful assembly: Section 66; and criminal conspiracy: Section 59
“The formal criminal complaint and the bench warrant secured on the 8th August, 2017 provide a basis to investigate, apprehend and ultimately prosecute the suspects.”