By; FUNMI ADERINTO, Kaduna 0
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has said that government is working in collaboration with the security agencies to ensure everyone displaced in their communities is returned back to their homes safely.
Governor Uba Sani disclosed this after the Kaduna State Security Council meeting on Wednesday, as part of the state government’s efforts to promote peace and enhance security in the state.
Senator Uba Sani expressed this shortly after closed door meeting, in an interview with Government House Press Crew which took place at the Council Chambers of Sir Kashim Ibrahim House.
He said, “this meeting is a continuation of our meeting and consultation with relevant security agencies in Kaduna, this one is an expanded core security meeting that also involved the GOC 3 Division as well as GOC 1 Division.
“We usually call for this meeting to receive briefing and to look at the areas that the Kaduna State Government needs to support and assist agencies on the problem of insecurity in our state.
“I am happy to say that we have been receiving a lot of support, and on our part, we made it clear from the inception that fighting insecurity in our state is number one agenda.
“I believe without resolving or addressing the problem of insecurity, we might not be able to achieve all the developmental agenda of our government.
“We have invested a lot in that area, but I believe addressing insecurity is key. As a government, we have promised to ensure that our people live safely in the communities and environment.
“That is the reason why in our agenda, we believe safety of our people, protecting their lives and property is number one and I am happy as a government, we have been very consistent.
“We will continue to fight the bandits and the criminals within the axis of Southern Kaduna as well as Birnin Gwari.
“I am happy GOC 3 Division, as well as GOC 1 Division and the Air Force are doing operations in Birnin Gwari as well as the report from the Director DSS have all shown that we are all making progress.
“We will continue to support them with all they need in terms of logistics and technology because that is the area they need to be supported.
“We are working together with them, the safety and security of our people is the fundamental rights of our people, it is not something that the government needs to even think twice about doing.
Governor Uba said, “some in the state relocated or are moving from own home or location because of issue of security. It is our responsibility to make sure that they return back to their homes safely.
“Government will do that as our responsibility as our human rights in terms of building their communities,” he said.
He added that, “the GOC 3 Division as well as GOC 1 Division, the Commissioner of Police and the DSS all agreed that we have to approach these issues.
Earlier in an interview with GOC 3 Division and Commander Operation Safe Haven, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, he said the first phase of the resettlement, will start with 15 communities.
He said, “what we did at the meeting was that, we reviewed the security situation in Kaduna State, but for me, I am responsible for Southern Kaduna.
“We have made some projections to Governor Uba Sani, because one of the ways to measure the milestones of the achievements of Operation Safe Haven, is the ability to relocate those affected by crisis back to their ancestral homes, so that they can resume socioeconomic activities.
“What we are planning to do right now is to resettle about 15 communities back to their ancestral homes, hence they will be needing some logistics which the government will be providing to enable them settle back and start their normal lives once again”.
On his part, the GOC 1 Division, Major General Valentine Okoro, said the government and the security agencies are harmonizing efforts with all security stakeholders in the state to be able to network security to ensure that gaps that were observed in their deliberations are effectively covered.
“Going forward, we expect to have tighter security, firmer collaborations between all security stakeholders that we believe will enhance peace and security for the people of Kaduna State.
“Banditry is the most potent threat in this operational environment and we are making efforts to ensure that it is reduced to the barest minimal,” he assured.
