Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state has called on the Nigerian government to increase the funding of the security agencies to enable them adequately deal with the attacks in the southern part of the state and other internal security challenges across the country.
He made the appeal on Tuesday when the Senate adhoc committee on Southern Kaduna crisis and other parts of the country visited him in his office in Kaduna.
While briefing the Senate delegation led by Senator Kabiru Gaya, Governor El-Rufai stressed that the federal government needs to better equip and increase logistical support to the troops to further step up the momentum of the war against banditry and other forms of criminality in the state and Nigeria in general.
The Governor, who said that the state government had so far committed four billion naira in support of security agencies in the state despite having no control over them, noted that if the security agencies were adequately funded, they would enhance the troops’ capacity to combat the insurgency and also boost their morale.
“As the Chief Security Officer of the state, we really do not have control over the security agencies, but we have committed so much in funding security agencies in the state.
“We have bought even bullet proof vest; we have committed four billion naira in support of security agencies in the state.
“There is also need for training and retraining of security agencies, and the purchase of additional security equipment.
“The state government will continue to support the security agencies in the state even though it is the responsibility of the federal government. When we came in we met three main problems on ground, cattle rustling, urban gang and communal killings.
“I will do whatever it takes to deploy resources to facilitate the takeoff of the proposed military garrison in Southern Kaduna
“I am the Governor of Kaduna state. If you break the law you will be punished. The entire Kaduna city has been divided and there is need to regain the confidence.
“The reasons Southern Kaduna crisis has continued unabated is because those involved have neither been punished nor prosecuted in the 35 years.
“I am not an ethnic jingoist or a religious bigot. So, those who alleged that I am sponsoring Southern Kaduna crisis are just mischievous, no Governor wants crisis in his state.
“Even with the presence of security agencies, peace is a choice and people decided within themselves to live in peace.
“Let people know that there are always consequences for insecurity, and this crisis would have consequences – economic, political, development and even social.”
Lasting Solution
Earlier, the Chairman of the Senate delegation, Senator Kabiru Gaya, told the Governor that the committee was set up by the Senate to investigate and find solution to the Southern Kaduna crisis.
He said that the committee would interact with government, stakeholders, community leaders, security agencies towards finding a lasting solution to the crisis.
He commended the Governor for the efforts so far put in place to tackle the situation and urged all the warring parties to drop their arms for the sake of peace and development of Kaduna state.
“The committee is set up by the Senate to investigate and find solution to the Southern Kaduna crisis. Our mission is to interact, discuss with government, stakeholders, community leaders, security.
“Information received so far is commendable,” he said, urging the government to sustain the tempo to bring about peace in the state.
Social Media Bill
He also encouraged the Governor to continue with the town hall meetings.
“I know you are doing your best, but you should continue to seek people’s opinion, including religious leaders.
“With the way people are now misusing the social media to give out false information, I believe the Senate will revisit the social media bill,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Methodist Arch Bishop of Kaduna diocese, Arch-Bishop Sunday Idoko has called on religious leaders in the state to support the state government’s effort in addressing the violence in southern Kaduna.
The Bishop made the appeal when the Director General of Kaduna State Geographical Information Service, presented him a land processing form in his office.
He appealed to all aggrieved parties involved in the southern Kaduna crisis to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
