A Southern Kaduna activist and Convener of the Global Impact Award, Jane Thomas-Rogers, has commended the Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU) for speaking out over the controversial death of Mary Habila at the residence of former Minister of Works, David Umahi, describing the union’s intervention as a bold step toward seeking justice.
In a statement, Thomas-Rogers lamented what she described as the longstanding misconception that the peaceful disposition of the Southern Kaduna people is a sign of weakness, insisting that such a perception has encouraged the violation of their rights.
“For too long, the calm and tolerant nature of the Southern Kaduna people has been misconstrued as weakness. That disposition has been abused. People have come to assume that because we are peaceful, we can be trampled upon and nothing will happen,” she said.
She praised SOKAPU for taking a firm stand, noting that the organization was helping to change the narrative by ensuring that the voices of the people are heard.
Thomas-Rogers expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding Mary Habila’s death, arguing that the incident raises several unanswered questions that deserve a thorough investigation.
“A lady dies in such a worrying situation, and there is no curiosity about the cause. Instead, there are calls to let the matter die. If nothing is being hidden, then nothing should be feared,” she stated.
The activist also alleged that reports of threats against SOKAPU’s leadership suggest that similar pressure may have been exerted on Mary’s father and a friend connected to the case.
She urged David Umahi to allow law enforcement agencies to conduct a transparent investigation without interference, stressing that justice should take its natural course.
Thomas-Rogers further called for the release of any available CCTV footage from both the residence where the incident reportedly occurred and the hospital where Mary was taken, saying such evidence could help establish the facts surrounding her death.
She declared that the people of Southern Kaduna would no longer remain silent in the face of perceived injustice.
“We will not be silenced. We will not be victimized. Never again,” she asserted.
Beyond the Mary Habila case, the activist urged Southern Kaduna leaders to sustain the same level of advocacy in addressing the persistent insecurity affecting the region, including killings, kidnappings, and insurgency.
She called on governments at all levels to take decisive action to restore peace and security across Southern Kaduna communities.
Thomas-Rogers concluded her statement with a call for justice, declaring: “Justice for Mary Habila. Justice for Southern Kaduna. Justice for all.”
Jane Thomas-Rogers is the Convener of the Global Impact Award, Publisher of Ashbab Global Impact Magazine, and Director of the Association of Indigenous Filmmakers and Content Creators of Nigeria (AIFCON).