Metro

Insecurity: Forum lauds Kaduna gov, CDS over establishment of new military commands

The Southern Kaduna Journalists’ Forum (SKJF) has lauded the collaboration and synergy between Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, and the Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa, towards tackling insecurity in the state.

In a statement issued by the Chairman and Secretary of the Forum, Ango Bally and Lilian Silas respectively and made available to Tribune Online on Wednesday said, “It received with joy the news of the collaboration which led to the establishment of three new military commands in Samaru Zango-Kataf, Giwa, and Birnin-Gwari, in addition to a base to be set up by the Air Force in Millennium City, Chikun Local Area.

“These strategic moves will significantly help in addressing the protracted banditry, kidnapping, and other security threats in the region and enhance agricultural activities in the state.”

The forum said it is optimistic that the deployment of additional military personnel will significantly improve security and enable farmers to access their lands without fear, especially in communities like Maro-Kajuru, Kauru, Sanga, Giwa and Binin Gwari Local Government Areas that have been witnessing persistent banditry attacks.

“A robust military presence in the aforementioned areas, will no doubt bring sanity by boosting citizens’ and farmers’ confidence for robust agricultural activities and other economic activities to combat poverty and unemployment across the state.”

The forum also commended the Governor’s initiative to further enhance security across the state by distributing 150 patrol vehicles and 500 motorbikes to various security agencies, including the Army, Air Force, DSS, Police, Civil Defence, Customs, and Immigration.

The forum equally recognized Governor Sani’s efforts in uniting the state towards achieving sustainable peace through the formation of the Kaduna Elders Forum, co-chaired by the duo of the former Military Governor of Old Rivers State, Retired General Zamani Lekwot and former Head of Service, Abubakar Mustapha, with other respected personalities as members, to help chart a new course for the unity and development of the state.

The forum congratulated Governor Sani for marking one year in office and particularly, lauded his efforts towards inclusive governance as evident with the recent inauguration of development projects that cut across southern and northern parts of the state.

“However, we called on the Governor to go some steps further in addressing the aspect of skewed political appointments in favour of Northern Kaduna to the detriment of the Southern region; a deliberate practice entrenched by the ex-Governor which he ingeniously exploited as a divide and rule tactic that left the state more divided along religious fault lines than he met it.

“This, we expect Governor Uba Sani to take deliberate practical steps to reconcile the regrettable retrogressive politics that Malam el-Rufai instituted, by building bridges of unity and inclusive politics across the state for sustainable development to be achieved.”

In the same vein, the forum called on Governor Sani to demonstrate the pro-democracy and rule of law that he stands for, as evidenced in his participation in the realisation of June 12 election struggle, for his government to respect and implement the recent court judgement which nullified the dethronement of the Piriga monarch, Chief Jonathan Paraguwa Zamuna by ex-Governor Nasir el-Rufai on May 22, 2023 and ordered for his reinstatement.

“Honourable Justice Bashir Attahiru Alkali’s judgement of the National Industrial Court sitting in Kaduna had on June 10, 2024, declared the dethronement of Chief Zamuna null and void for lack of fair hearing and ordered for his reinstatement with all salaries arrears paid and all privileges restored within 30 days. The court also ordered the Kaduna state government to pay Chief Zamuna 10 million Naira in damages for the violation of his fundamental human rights. A copy of the judgement has already been released.”

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