Governor Nasir El-Rufai is being criticized by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for the killings and kidnappings plaguing Kaduna State.
According to the organization, the ongoing carnage in the north is the result of the Kaduna governor paying murderous Fulani herdsmen a few years ago.
El-Rufai threatened to employ foreign mercenaries to assist combat instability in the state, prompting CAN to respond.
Kaduna Attacks: What I’ll Do If Buhari Fails To End Terrorism – El-Rufai
El-Rufai is said to have made the remarks to media on Friday, shortly after briefing President Muhammadu Buhari on recent assaults and murders in Kaduna State, including the attack on the International Airport and the bombing on the Abuja-Kaduna train on Monday.
Terrorists, he believes, ought to be dealt with with more force than is now available.
The Governor stated that it is clear that the bandit terrorists are becoming more daring by the day with each successful unopposed attack, and that they are even considering targeting the troops.
He bemoaned the security authorities’ failure to respond to requests to bomb and destroy the trees where the bandits are hiding.
Reverend John Joseph Hayab, CAN Chairman in Kaduna, alleged in a statement on Saturday that security operatives had failed to denounce the governor for his remarks.
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CAN pointed out that if any other Nigerian make such an idea in public space, he would have been accused or arrested by the government for undermining the security agencies and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
CAN said: “The attention of CAN Kaduna State has been drawn to newspapers stories making rounds that Governor Nasir El-Rufai, threatened to deploy foreign mercenaries should the federal government fail to combat banditry and end terrorism.
“While CAN agrees that terrorists have had a field day, CAN reckon that if any other Nigerian had made or muted such an idea in public space, such would have been accused or arrested by the government for undermining the security agencies and the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.
“Accordingly, CAN doubts if any section of the Nigerian Constitution allows any officeholder, apart from the C in C, to invite a foreign combatant into the country.
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“Moreover, it was a similar strategy that El-Rufai employed years back when he claimed to have compensated some herdsmen, which led to the escalation of the security situation, particularly in Kaduna state.
“For CAN, the approach to give gunmen money so that they would stop attacking the populace has backfired and Kaduna state is paying dearly for such a miscalculation at present.
“CAN acknowledge that what Nigeria needs currently is a sincerity of purpose from all stakeholders and the citizenry towards finding lasting solutions, not subjective statements that could further heighten the presence of bandits in Nigeria.
“CAN will continue to pray and urge citizens to be on the watch against any erroneous direction that could do this country no good but harm.”
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