President Muhammadu Buhari has given assurance of stringent measures to be taken to address the problem of insecurity in Kaduna State, North-West of Nigeria.
The State Governor, Nasiru El-Rufai revealed this to State House Correspondents on Friday, after he met with the Nigerian leader at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Governor, who was sober about recent happenings in his State, also informed Journalists that security agencies are making frantic efforts to rescue victims of Monday’s attack on a Kaduna bound train, from the hands of their abductors.
Surveillance
He said: “The President assured me that the necessary steps would be taken on the matter and this thing will be brought to an end in a few months and security agents are already carrying out surveillance around where these criminals are and by the grace of God, they will be rounded up.
“But as you know, the government will always take precautionary measures to safeguard the lives of citizens therefore, except the victims are rescued unhurt, the Airforce and ground troops will not be able to confront the criminals. So to avoid any colossal damage, the captives have to be freed first.”
The Governor disclosed that the gunmen have contacted families of their captives but they are not requesting for ransom.
“Well, the families of those kidnapped have been contacted while some of the captives themselves have called their loved ones, saying they are doing well and they are being taken care of. But the gunmen have not shown any sign of collecting ransom,” he said.
Governor El-Rufai emphasised that the gunmen are not kidnappers but members of the boko haram terrorists group working in collaboration with bandits.
“These ones are not the usual kidnappers but members of boko haram who are collaborating with bandits. So we were thinking they would ask for a huge ransom from the state government, not the families of their victims. So far, they have asked for ransom from just one of the families that were contacted.
“As far as the Kaduna state government is concerned, we have not changed our stand on payment of ransom so, even if they seek for that form us, we will not pay because we are not ready to do so,” he stressed.
Intelligence report
El-Rufai revealed that the state government had received an intelligence report that the gunmen were going to strike on the rail line and had intimated the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) on the matter but no action was taken.
“We think this thing happened because we have written twice to the NRC, advising that trains on the Kaduna route should not embark on night trips because we have reports that boko haram were in town and they plan to attack the train at night using explosive devices.” He said.
“Secondly, because of this situation, the Nigerian Airforce has established a base at Katare, where they now have a helipad for the take-off and landing of helicopters and also refuel, so that they can swiftly respond to distress calls when anything happens,” the Governor explained.
Governor El-Rufai said the recent attack on the Kaduna-bound train didn’t just happen because it had been planned long ago.
“Those who carried out the attack have been planning for a very long time and they came well prepared for the task. They even know the particular train and coach that conveys the rich and dignitaries,” he added.
Total raid be carried
He therefore, advised that a total raid be carried on the bushes where the terrorists are and neutralize them before they over run the North-Western states and even the entire country at large.
“The Nigerian Army and Airforce have the map of where these people are. They know where they are but I don’t know why up till now, they have refused to comb the area where these criminals are and deal with these people.
“Why must we always wait till they carry out an attack before we respond? We should take the war tip them and deal with them decisively. We know where they are, we have the maps and the military also know. Even the Police know. The DSS keeps giving reports and updates on these people. Why have the security agencies not taken action? That is what I came to complain to the President about,” the Governor stated.
Lateefah Ibrahim
