El-Rufai Cautions Communities Not To Protect Criminals 

As the government works to combat insecurity in the state, Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has warned communities against shielding suspected criminals in their midst.

By Omotayo Olutekunbi

El-Rufai issued the warning on Wednesday while paying a visit to the Chief of Kagoro, Mr Ufuwai Bonet, at his palace in Kaura Local Government Area to express his condolences over the recent attack in the area.

“It is of great concern how communities shield criminals living amongst them. There are criminals in every ethnic group and in every religion.

“If we want to end this kind of problem (insecurity), we must be ready to give up those we suspect to be criminals even if they are our sons and daughters,’’ the governor said.

According to him, communities can only attain peace if they respect established authorities and report suspicions to security organisations.

“This is the only way we can live in peace,’’ he said.

El-Rufai challenged the traditional rulers to do more by living up to their leadership responsibilities.

“The situation in which youths have taken over leadership of communities is unacceptable.

“If the traditional institutions and other officials cannot provide leadership, we might as well dissolve them and hand over leadership to the youths if that is what will bring peace.

“I want to appeal to you all to rise up to your leadership roles and let us know those behind these crimes so we can deal with them,’’ he said.

The governor stated that the state government would care for people who had been displaced by the attack and would return them to their neighbourhoods.

In his speech, Bonet praised the state administration for its concern since the last incident and called for an end to the indiscriminate destruction of life and property.

The traditional monarch praised the security forces for their vigilance and sacrifices in restoring calm to his area.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the state administration has acknowledged that 34 people were killed and over 200 houses were destroyed in an attack on the Agban village in Kaura LGA on March 20.

NAN also reports that the governor met with community leaders from Kaura and Jema’a LGAs behind closed doors.