… As KDSG inaugurates justice for children forum***
The Kaduna State Government, on Wednesday, said that dozens of bandits had been neutralized and their camps destroyed by airstrikes in parts of the state.
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, made the disclosure in a statement in Kaduna.
Aruwan said: “Another successful outing has been reported by security forces, as an unspecified number of bandits were neutralized during an aerial assault on identified bandit enclaves around the boundary area with a neighbouring state in Chikun Local Government area.
“According to the operational feedback from the military, the strikes were conducted over-identified locations in Kauwuri and Gaude villages,” Aruwan said.
According to him, the locations were identified as bandit hideouts after thorough checks and analysis of various intelligence reports.
“In the first mission, fighter jets attacked the bandit camps in Kauwuri general area, and armed bandits were observed fleeing from the locations.
“A helicopter gunship then followed for a close mop-up with rockets and cannons,” he explained.
The commissioner explained that in a second wave over Gaude, the air platforms attacked the identified bandit hideouts in the area.
“Bandits were similarly observed attempting to take cover under some trees. The location was then attacked accordingly.”
He said ground forces trailed and engaged the dozens of bandits who fled the location following the airstrikes.
“Assessment revealed that many bandits were neutralized during the entire mission, and several camps destroyed,” Aruwan added.
“Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai welcomed the operational feedback with satisfaction and commended the security forces heartily for the well-executed missions.
“The governor who expressed optimism that more of such would follow urged the forces to sustain the tempo towards obliterating the criminal elements across the state.
“The government is appealing to citizens who might come across suspicious persons seeking medical attention in the general area to report to the Kaduna State Security Operations Room on 09034000060 and 08170189999,” Aruwan said.
In the meantime, Kaduna State Government on Wednesday, inaugurated the state justice for children coordination forum to ensure access to justice for children.
The State Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hajiya Hafsat Baba, said at the inauguration in Kaduna that the forum would work in collaboration with UNICEF to address issues regarding children’s growth and productivity.
Baba, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Steve Joseph, added that the forum would identify areas that affect children’s development in the state.
She said the forum would also proffer solutions on how to ensure justice, especially to minors who are engaged in labour activities.
Baba appealed to the forum members to be dedicated and committed towards achieving set goals and responsibilities.
In his remarks, the UNICEF Chief of Kaduna Field Office, Zakari Adams said the forum would focus on access to justice for children, as many children who committed offences were not given adequate access to fair hearing and justice.
“This is because we do not have a specialized police unit that is trained, and correctional home for children, and no family court, and that is a problem and we are here to find solutions to the problem,” he said.
According to him, the establishment of the forum would deepen the conversation on the promotion of access to justice for children.
He explained that the forum would ensure promote coordination between law enforcement and justice sectors to specifically address access to justice for children.
The UNICEF chief identified some of the challenges inhibiting access to justice for children to include absence of a legal framework for child justice administration and specialized children police unit.
He said there was urgent need to ensure that vulnerable children, especially survivors of violence and those on the move, had access to a child-friendly justice system, to uphold their rights and punish perpetrators.
Also, the State Chief Judge, Justice Mohammed Bello said all stakeholders must ensure that children get access to justice.
Bello pledged to ensure the establishment of family courts to implement the Child Right Law before the end of his tenure.
On his part, Alhaji Nasiru Magaji, the District Head of Kawo, expressed concern over the high rate of rape of minors in the state and called on parent to be the voice for their children to curtail the menace.
The newsmen report that members of the forum include representatives from ministries of Human Services and Social Development, Education, Health and Judiciary.
It also included the Police, Correctional Service, Immigration, NAPTIP, FIDA, UNICEF and media organizations, among others, as members.
