El-Rufai, Tambuwal Call For Collective Action Against Banditry

The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai and the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, has called for unity in fighting against banditry and kidnapping in the country.

The governors made this call when El-Rufai visited Sokoto to condole with Tambuwal over the death of Hajiya Aishatu, the daughter of late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello.

El-Rufai commended the Sokoto State Governor for his commitment to the pursuit of peace and security in the North-West.

He disclosed that governors from the region are working with President Muhammadu Buhari to bring an end to banditry and kidnapping in the zone.

The Kaduna State Governor further stated that the role of Tambuwal in tackling banditry in the region has been complete, fraternal and unbiased.

“I want to express my appreciation to Governor Tambuwal for cooperating with us in a totally, brotherly and non-partisan manner to bring the whole of the North-West together. May Allah reward you with His blessings,” he said.

El-Rufai, however, expressed concern over the rising cases of kidnapping and banditry in the zone and its effect on the public.

“There is concern on the sufferings that people face, as they have been going through difficulties because of these attacks occasioned by bandits.

“From Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna and parts of Kebbi and Niger states, our people have been going through trials and tribulations arising from the activities of bandits.

“As governors, we have been meeting, putting our heads together to do the best we can. The last meeting we had was last Thursday with the President.

”We expressed our concerns and came up with a critical road map to end this banditry in our region once and for all,” El-Rufai said.

Tambuwal on his own part noted that the security challenges in region have become worrisome and “a great source of concern to all of us.”

He added that the latest murder of a Divisional Police Officer and eight policemen in Kebbi on Monday and the recent attack in Dange Local Government of Sokoto State, where lives were lost.

“We must all put our hands on deck to ensure that we nip this thing in the bud.

“As you rightly said, we have been working together and collaborating. There’s no issue of party.

“Our security and development have nothing to do with party. It is all about the people that we represent.

“I have always said there should not be politics in developing and dealing with security issues.

“We must remain one to confront the bad elements among us. They came together to fight us, so we must come together to fight them,” Tambuwal stressed.