Bomba Dauda
Governor of kaduna State, Malam Nasiru El-rufai has assured that kaduna State will uphold the right of every citizen to live in peace and harmony. El-rufai made the assurances at a meeting of security agencies and major stakeholders from Zango-kataf and Kauru Local Governmt Areas which have been under 24-hour curfew following the violent clashes of 11 June 2020.
The meeting was convened as part of measures to restore stability in the area and promote peace and harmony between the affected communities.
El-rufai called on the communities to expose and report the few that engage in the incitement and violent actions that menace and endanger the many.
Traditional rulers, community leaders and elected officials from the concerned areas also provided updates and suggestions for the restoration of peace. During the briefings and deliberations, they all expressed regrets at the violent clashes and the loss of lives and property.
They assured the government that the communities are working to restore peace, and that consultations to rebuild the confidence of victims were being undertaken. They requested the state government to review the 24-hour curfew to enable farmers take utmost advantage of the rainy season.
The stakeholders also appealed to the Kaduna State Government to take firm action against persons using conventional and social media to foment and worsen crisis in the area with fake news and incitement. They noted that many of these persons do not even live in the areas but are able to use technology to spread false news and alarm.
Malam Nasir El-Rufai appealed to the stakeholders to take leadership in their communities as elected officials and traditional rulers appointed by legitimate authority.
He said that ceding the narrative to non-formal actors is not helpful to the cause of peace and the rule of law. He explained that it was up to the stakeholders from the area to openly controvert false narratives, noting, with examples, that the portrayal of parts of southern Kaduna as unsafe spaces deters development and investments. He welcomed the apparent determination of the stakeholders to turn the page on the cycle of clashes and reprisals.
The governor stated that he would await advice from the core security agencies on the request to review the curfew hours. He promised that the Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure will address the request for construction of the Sabo-Kigudu Bridge on Kibori -Kigudu road in Zangon-Kataf LGA and the Bakin Kogi to Kamarun-Chawai road in Kauru LGA. He commended the security agencies for their efforts to restore stability and protect lives in the affected communities.
