Confusion as thugs disrupt Northern security summit in Kaduna

Thugs numbering over 100 had disrupted the Northern security summit expected to hold at Arewa House between Monday and Tuesday.

Recall, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) had earlier hinted about the summit expected to attract, Northern Elders, civil societies, ex-servicemen, retired civil servant, pressure groups traditional rulers, security experts, stakeholders, women, youths, among others to discuss the security challenges facing the region.

It was gathered that some invited guests have started arriving at the venue of the security summit as from 10 am.

However, around 10.40 am before the commencement of the summit billed for 11 am, as journalists were seated in one corner of the conference hall, one of the journalists working with foreign media stormed the venue to inform journalists that some hoodlums are heading towards the conference hall.

He advised the journalists to leave immediately before mayhem is unleashed on them.

However, before the journalists and other guests could escape through the main door, the thugs had already stormed the hall and started destroying everything on sight.

It was gathered that most of the guests had to escape through the back window or door and some hurriedly escaped through the main gate.

Reacting over the development, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) said, “We regret to announce that armed thugs numbering hundreds were unleashed on the Arewa House venue of the security summit hosted by the Coalition of Northern Groups on Monday, December 14.

In a statement issued by the spokesman of the Coalition, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman noted that ‘The Summit is aimed to discuss ways to achieve synergy between communities and government security and design a uniform approach to the current security situation in the North.

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“Participants at the meeting included retired military officers, Retired Police officers, religious leaders, traditional rulers, various women, youth and trade associations.

“Just as the meeting was kicking off, sponsored armed thugs stormed the auditorium after subduing the civil guards at the gate.

“The overturned tables shattered glasses, attacked the guests and officials, wounding several people and smashing vehicles parked in the premises.

“It is disturbing that a battalion of armed thugs can stroll free across the streets of central Kaduna wielding dangerous weapons without the intervention of the security.

“Security only arrived hours after the thugs had left.

“It is quite obvious now that some powerful forces are benefiting from the current security situation and would do everything for it to continue.

“We are now all the more committed to ensuring the safety and security of the North and its people.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

Confusion as thugs disrupt Northern security summit in Kaduna