By Smart Emmanuel
Reactions and condemnations are trailing the killing of Raymond Timothy Adai, 35, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Councillorship candidate for Pari Ward in Kauru local government area, ahead of Kaduna State Local Council Elections billed for October 19, 2024.
Mr. Adai was murdered on Sunday, alongside his brother, James, 32, on Sunday while returning home from a political event in in the area.
His killers did not take any of the huge sums of money found on him and his brother, nor take the new motorcycle they were riding on, raising the possibility of politically motivated murder.
Reacting to the murder, the Senator representing Kaduna South Senatorial District, Sunday Marshall Katung, and the Middle Belt Forum Kaduna State Chapter condemned the act and called for thorough investigation.
Sen. Katung, in a statement said “The killing of the two brothers in Kauru stands condemned,” lamenting that that the PDP candidate, left behind children and a pregnant wife.
“I am saddened and appalled by this barbarity, which I condemn in its entirety. This ugly type of politics has no place in a civilised society like ours. It is unacceptable and must be rejected by all lovers of peace,” he said.
Senator Katung demanded a thorough investigation into the matter, saying government’s primary responsibility is the security and welfare of its people.
“Consequently, I wish to once again reiterate my previous call on the Government of Kaduna State to thoroughly investigate and address these recurrent security challenges in our State, especially in Kauru Local Government, to ensure that our citizens are well protected.
“While appreciating the security agencies for their prompt response on all issues of this nature, especially in our Senatorial District, I wish to urge them to fish out the killers of these two brothers and subject them to the full process of the law. The only way we can avenge this gruesome murder is by ensuring that the perpetrators are found and made to face the consequences of their actions,” he said.
He also appealed to citizens to provide helpful information to security agencies or traditional leaders to forestall acts like this.
The Senator extended deepest condolences to Mr Raymond’s wife, his children, the entire Timothy family, the people of Pari ward, and the entire Kauru local government on this great loss.
“I remain steadfast in my commitment to work with all stakeholders and security agencies to achieve lasting peace in our communities,” he said.
In a statement through its Chairman, the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Kaduna State Chapter, described late Adia, a graduate of Mass Communication, as a trader in fertiliser and allied agro-based farming inputs, who had garnered popularity among locals for his generosity of spirit and community service.
“According to reports reaching us, his killers did not take any of the huge sums of money found on him and his kid brother, James. Neither was the new motorcycle taken away, as bandits and robbers are wont to do.
“This, therefore, likely points to a politically motivated murder. If this stands so, then it calls for deep concern, since Southern Kaduna, which is a core part of the Middle Belt, may be sliding into a dangerous political trend that is all strange to our nature, civilisation and beliefs,” it said.
The MBF likened the situation to what occurred in November, 2022, when gunmen assassinated, Mrs Victoria Chintex, the Women Leader of the Labour Party of Kaura LGA in Southern Kaduna, at her home, in Manchok town, in a crime believed to be related to her rising political profile and that of her party in Kaura LGA.
“The MBF, Kaduna State chapter is urgently calling on law enforcement agencies to swing into action, fish out the murderers and bring them to justice.
“If politics is a call to service, sacrifice and risk taking for community, we see no reason why anyone would kill for that role.
“Allowing this crime to fade away without consequences, will only encourage more of such evil in the future.
“We already have terrorism and sundry crimes we are yet to tackle; Southern Kaduna cannot add a new twist to insecurity in the land.
“Unfortunately, the way elected and appointed political office holders flaunt their questionable new found wealth and suppress their constituents, the lure of such positions seems to be getting desperate in Southern Kaduna.
“We are therefore, appealing to all our members who are desirous in contesting for political offices to shun violence of any kind and play politics in the relative tolerant and civilised ways that politics has always been played in our areas in Kaduna State.
“We condole, once more the PDP family, the pregnant wife the deceased candidate and extended family; Pari ward and Kauru LGA,” the statement said.
