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We will not negotiate with bandit, clerics can preach to them– El-Rufai
By Modupe Shodeinde
Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has reiterated his stance on non-negotiation with bandits or kidnappers.
The Governor during an expanded meeting of the State Security Council which held at the Council Chambers of Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Tuesday, stated that his job as governor is to enforce the law and help to prosecute people who commit offences.
There have been a series of attacks on Kaduna communities in the past weeks, particularly institutions of learning. In a recent attack on Monday, around 8.50am, bandits on motorcycles stormed the UBE Rima Primary School, Birnin Gwari where three teachers were abducted.
Commenting on these incidents the governor insisted that the state would not negotiate with bandits for the release of those in captive.
“We will not engage with bandits or kidnappers. Private citizens like clerics and clergymen can do so in their individual capacities, to preach to them and ask them to repent. We also want them to repent but it is not our job ask them to do so,” he said.
El-Rufai noted that the solution to farmer-herder clashes, cattle rustling, and banditry “is for nomadic herdsmen to live more sedentary lives in order for them to be more productive and give their children education and access to better healthcare”.
He explained that due to urbanisation and population growth, nomadic or transhumance cattle breeding had been rendered obsolete, as most of the cattle routes have been taken over by development.
He said the state government is implementing a ranching project in Damau Grazing Reserve, Kubau LGA.
The governor added that the project will enable the herders to raise their cattle in a facility with pastures, a school, and a primary healthcare centre, with a commercial partner ready to buy their milk.
