Kaduna State government has directed the State Ministry for Internal Security and Home Affairs to commence payment of compensation to all those affected by insecurity including this year from the Riot Damage and Compensation Fund.
Governor Nasiru Elrufai who stated this at an event in Kaduna said the state government want to have zero-kidnappings and zero killings.
“I will also want to comment on those that are affected by insecurity. We have a Riot Damage and Compensation Fund for those who are affected from 2016. I am therefore directing the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs to draw from the Riot Damage Fund, to pay all those affected, up to, and including this year”
Malam Nasiru also announced the state government process of establishing a Farmers/Herdsmen Reconciliation Council at the State level as well as similar Committees at the Local Government and Chiefdom and Emirate levels.
“This is backed by a law, a military edict, enacted in the 1990s. But somehow, we didn’t come across the law until recently”
Malam Elrufai noted that government is activating the Committees to help in managing clashes between farmers and herdsmen at all levels.
The governor also revealed that, Kaduna State Government, have always aligned with the declaration of bandits as insurgents and terrorists.
According to him, the state government have written letters to the Federal Government since 2017, asking for the declaration of bandits and insurgents as terrorist, stressing that, the declaration would allow the Nigerian military to attack and kill these bandits without any major consequences in international law.
Malam Nasiru Elrufai also stated that, the state government will support the resolution by the National Assembly.
“we are going to follow up with a letter of support, for the Federal Government to declare these bandits and insurgents as terrorists, so that they will be fair game for our military. This is the view of the Kaduna State Government”
He however expressed gratitude to the state traditional leaders for playing a very important role not only in the provision of useful intelligence in their communities, but also engaging in reconciliation.
Elrufai also commended security agencies for the sacrifice that they are making and urge them not to be discouraged by comments by those who are uninformed.
“My colleagues, the politicians, are the most guilty; just because they want people to clap for them, they will say that nothing is being done. If nothing is being done, you will not be able to sleep. Many of these incidences are being prevented and where they are, you will not hear about it. You don’t hear commendation but when something happens, you hear all the condemnation”
Malam Nasiru Elrufai expressed happiness with the results of the military campaigns which according to him has made kidnapping reduce.
COV/AMINU DALHATU
