Insecurity: KDSG To Reform Vigilante Force, Others …says banditry is blind to  religion, ethnicity, political persuasion

…says banditry is blind to  religion, ethnicity, political persuasion

Zainab Tanimu

Kaduna, Northwest, NIgeria

Against the backdrop of insecurity bedeviling the country, the Kaduna State Government has announced it’s readiness to reform vigilante force.

The Governor made this known

during his remarks at 2021 Annual Public Lecture and Awards organized by Nigeria Institute of Public Relations in Kaduna.

The Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir Ahmad el-rufai who spoke on  theme ‘Insecurity In Northern Nigeria; Implications To Nation Economy’ said access to arms and drugs has done a lot of damages in the region.

He said Bandits inject themselves with drugs. “That is why they can walk for hours without being tired”.

The Governor who was represented by Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Hon. Samuel Aruwan, el-rufai noted that banditry is blind to religion, ethnicity or political persuasion.

He said it is not true the claim by some people that bandits are targeting people based on religion or ethnicity.

El-rufai he said has assured of State government coming up with an idea of sensitizing herders.

He urged religious leaders and citizens to support security Agencies in tackling insecurity while calling on the media to be strategic in reporting issues around insecurity. Aruwan said.

.

Speaking, Publisher Blue Print Newspapers, Alhaji Mohammed Idris called for government’s continuous  engagement with the bandits as a way of solving the current security challenges.

 ” We must come together and find a common ground to this problem”. He said.

Contributing, Hajiya Asmau called on the government to look into ways of engaging the youths through agriculture in other to avoid being lured into banditry.

Government should create a fora where it can discuss and assure them of  opportunities of survival. Providing acres of lands for them to farm will go a long way in curtailing security challenges, she said

Earlier in his welcome address,  the Chairman of Kaduna State NIPR, Malam Bashir Chedi described security as an essential prerequisite for true and lasting economic growth to take place.

“As Public Relations Practitioners, our role is to create necessary platform that will bring major Stakeholders on issues such as the prevalent insecurity and its damming consequences to the economy.

“With the aim of provoking thoughts and actions, this year’s Annual Public Lecture’s theme, ‘Insecurity in the North: Implications On The Nation’s Economy’ was carefully thought out”.

Part of the event was the presentation of awards to distinguished personalities and cooperate organisations for their contributions.

Amongst the recipients were the Chairperson,  Jam’iyyar Matan Arewa, Hajiya Rabi Musa Saulawa,  GM. Corporate Services, Petroleum Equalization Fund, Dr. Goddy Nnadi, and DG/CEO NIMASA, Dr. Basir Jamoh

Cooperate organizations given awards includes Kaduna Electric Distribution

 Company, Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company, (KRPC) Northern Nigeria Development Company (NNDC) and Blue Print Newspapers.