Southern Kaduna crisis: el-Rufai, security chiefs meet

Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State and security chiefs in the state have visited the areas affected during last Monday’s protest in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local government Area, Kaduna,  to commiserate with affected victims and traditional rulers.

The governor, who was at Kafanchan on Tuesday, alongside his cabinet members and all security chiefs, visited the palaces of Emir of Jema’a, Alhaji Muhammadu Isah Muhammadu, Chief of Kagoro, Ufoi Bonet and the Chief of Marwa, Tagwai Sambo, on a peace mission and appealed to all  aggrieved parties to sheath their sword and embrace peace.

According to el-Rufai, there was no need for reprisal attacks, since government was working assiduously to put the necessary security measures in place to protect lives of citizens, as well as maintain law and order.

“I and the deputy governor took oath of office to protect lives and property of all citizens and we are committed to ensuring that this is achieved,” el-Rufai assured.

While appealing to citizens to avoid taking laws into their  hands in the event of any crisis, the governor said: “Traditional Rulers should please talk to their subjects against taking vengeance each time there was problem between or among the persons.”

The governor,  however, commended the Emir of Jema’a for taking prompt action to stop his subjects from fighting  when crisis erupted during a rally, which, according to him, left the government with no option than to impose a 24-hour curfew on Kafanchan area.

Meanwhile,  he  enjoined  leaders, irrespective of their background to support the peace process, calm the people down and remind them that government is taking  proactive measures to stop the killings and restore lasting peace in Southern Kaduna.

el-Rufai, who addressed a group of women at Jema’a local government Secretariat, stressed : “ If anyone offends you, please report such individual to the necessary authority and be rest assured that we will take action.”

The governor maintained that  instead of embarking on reprisal attacks or vengeful missions, “let’s join hands together to fight the  of killing of innocent citizens.”

el-Rufai  further appealed:  “Please if there is any suspicious movement or information about impending attacks, report immediately or send me text message and we would take step to contain it.”

In their separate remarks, the Emir of Jema’a, Chief of Kagoro and Chief of Marwa commended the governor for his commitment and the resolve of the government to return peace to Southern Kaduna.

The chiefs, however,  assured the governor of their commitments to also ensure that peace reigns in their chiefdoms.