Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai has said that insecurity in the State is still extremely serious, but that it is improving by the day.
The Governor made the remarks yesterday at the presentation of the States security reports for the second and third quarters of 2022.
This was even as the governor reiterated a call for the establishment of a Theatre Command, similar to that in the North-East, for effective security operations in the seven States of the North-West and Niger State which have continuous and contiguous forest ranges that are hiding terrorists.
He said, The security situation in Kaduna State is improving, but still dire. We have just seen the presentation made by our Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan. In stark terms, it demonstrates the continued severity of the security challenges and the unfortunate toll in killings, kidnappings, injuries and threats to the livelihoods of our people. We regret the pain and losses.
The reports present detailed data on the persistence of the security challenges in our State. We publish these reports in fulfilment of our obligation to the residents of this State. The figures show a pattern of reductions in the gravity of security incidents in the second and third quarters of 2022, compared to the first quarter”.
El-Rufa’i stressed that in the North-West region, this vital mission requires a comprehensive and consistent sweep across the North-West and Niger States for sustained success, saying, A North-West Theatre Command will enable a holistic approach to counter-insurgency operations across the affected States and the enhanced coordination of the resources of the Armed Forces, the Police, the SSS, our respective State Vigilance Services, hunters and other local volunteers to fight the insurgents.
“It is our opinion that the insurgency in the North-West is not only more serious than what exists now in the North-East, but presents a clear danger to the holding of the 2023 elections and census if not nipped in the bud now. On our part, the Kaduna State Government will continue to do everything within the powers of a State to enhance security.
The governor prayed for the repose of the souls of those killed and paid tribute to the victims of various crimes and reiterate our solidarity with them.
