Victims of the 2011 post election violence in Kaduna on Wednesday staged a protest over failure of federal government to pay their compensation four years after the violence that claimed many lives and properties worth millions of naira across the state.
They threatened not to participate in the coming general election if the federal government fails to pay them their compensation and wondered why Kaduna and few other states were exempted during the payment last year.
Addressing journalists in Kaduna during the protest on Wednesday, the victims said they have been unfairly treated by the delay and also threatened to storm Abuja, the nation’s capital if after one week, the federal government fails to release the money meant for their compensation.
The victims carried placards with various inscriptions, lament that despite the Vice President, Namadi Sambo and other notable citizens of the country are from the state, no form of assistance has come their way.
They are therefore calling on the relevant authorities to expedite action and pay the compensation before the next general election.
The 2011 presidential election was marred by violence following the declaration of a candidate of a political party winner of the election.
Upon the announcement, angry youths took to the streets, destroying properties and killing people. Kaduna, like some other states across the federation had its won share of the crisis. Many people were killed and properties worth billions destroyed.
It would be recalled that following the post-election violence and civil disturbances in some states after the April 2011 elections, President Jonathan set up a panel amongst other things, identified the spread and extent of losses suffered across the country.
Four years after, it is expected that those saddled with the responsibility of settling these victims, should do so in the spirit of equity and fairness. And most importantly, for government and security agencies to forestall a reoccurence of the ugly incident of 2011 now that the elections are around the corner.
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