Foster the security of lives and property throughout Kaduna State
The importance of peace and security cannot be overemphasized in the quest to achieve growth and prosperity for Kaduna State. Coming at the time when insecurity and violent clashes became recurrent in some parts of the state such as Birnin Gwari and parts of Southern Kaduna, Governor Nasir El-Rufai committed time and resources to providing fostering the security of lives and peace building in the state.
The administration of Governor El-Rufai inherited some security challenges including the following:
- Herders and farmers clashes in some parts of the state leading to killings and destructions of lives and properties. This usually spiral into reprisal attacks and violent clashes.
2. Ethnic and Religious conflicts: Intolerance with political, ethnic and religious colorations have become recurrent in Kaduna since 1982 when violent clashes erupted at Kasuwan Magani in today’s Kajuru LG. Other violent clashes of this nature include the Kafanchan Riots of 1986, Zangon Kataf clashes of 1992, Gwantu religious clashes of 2001 and Sharia and Miss World clashes of 2000 and 2001 respectively. The most recent were the post 2011 presidential elections violence and its aftermath.
3. Urban gans (sara-suka):
4. Cattle rustling and rural banditry
5. Armed Robbery and
6. Kidnapping.
The very first task Governor El-Rufai handled after he took oath of office on Saturday 29th 2015 was to convey an emergency security meeting to address the security threats in Sanga Local Government which occurred the same day he was sworn-in. This marks the first of many such efforts to address insecurity in the entire state. In a bid to understand the underlying security threats faced by the state, the governor studied all the reports of Judicial Commission of Inquiries which x-rayed remote and immediate causes of violence.
There is one basic fact indicated in all the previous reports; failure to make culprits face the law has encouraged a circle of impunity and crisis.
Setting up Peace and Reconciliation Committee under Martin Luther Agwai:
To guide the government to end the incessant attacks and reprisals in Southern Kaduna, which spanned from the 2011 post presidential elections to the time he assumed office, El-Rufai inaugurated the Martin Luther Agwai Peace and Reconciliation Committee to fashion out long-lasting solutions to the frequent attacks on communities in the southern part of Kaduna state. Setting up the committee was part of Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s multi-dimensional approach in finding lasting solutions to the killings in the area, which have continued since the post-election violence of 2011.
Consequently, the committee was saddled with the task of identifying socio-political and economic factors that promote existing conflicts in Southern Kaduna and advice on measures to be taken by Government to address them; exploring ways of finding mutual solutions that engender reconciliation amongst and between communities in Southern Kaduna; and to advice on how the villages and communities of Southern Kaduna would be free from attacks bedevilling it.
The state has implemented recommendations of the committee’s report by publishing white papers of the previous reports and establishing Kaduna Peace Commission for peace building.
Expanding the Security Council: Governor El-Rufai drafted the Emir of Birnin Gwari, Zubairu Maigwari and the Kpok Gwom, HH Zaka Wyom to be part of Kaduna Secuirty Council, which reviews security situations and deliberate on measures to be taken.
This measure is taken since their chiefdoms were under serious security threats as such, reviewing situations and taking decisions to end curb the problem will not be holistic without those who oversee those areas.
Operation Sharan Daji: To end the menace of cattle rustling and banditry Kamuku and Kuyanban forests, Governor Nasir El-Rufai collaborated with the Nigerian Army and five states of Kastina, Kebbi, Niger, Zamfara and Kano to clear the forest off bandits. The operation tagged- Operation Sharan Daji, saw to the arrest of bandits, kidnappers and cattle rustlers and recovery of cattle in their tens of thousands.
Prosecuting culprits involved in fuelling crisis and purveyors of fake news and hate speech:
The role of fake news and hate speech in fuelling crisis in Kaduna is well established. Regrettably, no one has ever been prosecuted by the state for such crimes.
Failure of successive governments to make those involved in creating and participating in violence is largely responsible for the impunity and other circle of violence experienced in the state. Governor Nasir El-Rufai has however taken a bold step to discontinue from this trend.
The state Government has arrested and taken some of the culprits involved in spreading false news capable of stirring crisis to court. There are hundreds of persons being prosecuted for involvement in banditry, kidnapping, spreading fake news, reprisals attacks and other forms of crimes against the society.
This is serving as deterrence for other in the state.
The government has also succeeded in arrest of hundreds of bandits, kidnappers, cattle rustlers and recovery of thousands of cattle in Birnin Gwari corridor.
CCTV Control Room: Foundation laying took place on the 23rd January 2018 at the Head Quarters of Operation Yaki complex. This measure introduces a novel approach of deploying technology of crime detection and prevention in the state. The Office of the National Security Adviser has given the state government the approval to procure deploy and operate drones for surveillance in crime areas.
Held Security Meetings in Kafanchan and Birnin Gwari:
Building more Police Stations across the state: The number of police personnel is grossly inadequate in Kaduna state. Currently there are 10,000 police men in the state with a population of above 8 million people. Consequently, Governor El-Rufai has sought to increase the number from the Head Quarters of the Nigerian Police. To this end, more police stations were built in different parts of the state, leading to the creation of more police divisions and arear commands.
The Governor has also encouraged local government councils to build more stations for the creation of more divisions.
Creation of Peace Commission: Following recommendations of previous Committees of Inquiries into violent conflicts in Kaduna state, the state government set up Kaduna Peace Commission with a mandate to take proactive measures in developing strategies that would promote peace and harmonious co-existence. Kaduna Peace Commissioned will additionally work towards conflict prevention and non-violent intervention, mediation and peaceful resolution of conflicts and disputes in communal and inter-group levels across the state.
This demonstrates the state government’s commitment to addressing causes of conflicts in the state. Through the Commission, the government is taking proactive measures in developing strategies that would promote peace and harmonious co-existence.
Additionally, the commission works towards conflict prevention and non-violent intervention, mediation and peaceful resolution of conflict and disputes in communal and inter-group levels across the state. Since its creation, the Commission has been proactive in peacebuilding and mediation efforts in the entire state. It is being led by an eminent cleric and scholar, ArcBishop Josiah Idowu Fearon, the Secretary General, Anglican Communion Worldwide, and founder of Kaduna Centre for the Study of Christian Muslim Relations.
Disarmament Programme: To curb the proliferation of dangerous arms, the state government planned a disarmament programme in areas known have people in possession of dangerous weapons. This programme, which targets the entire state have already begun and is recording significance compliance and success. The state government has earmarked funds to buy up the arms, but measures will be taken against those who fail to surrender their arms willingly at the expiration of the window period.
Establishing military bases in Birnin Gwari: As part of security measures towards ending the banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and cattle rustling in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna state government requested the approval of the President and Chief of Army Staff for the establishment of permanent military barracks in Birnin Gwari. The president and military authorities have graciously approved the request and construction has begun for their barracks. As a short-term measure, the state government has provided a facility to temporarily house the military.
Military Formation in Southern Kaduna:
The people of Southern Kaduna have clamored for the establishment of military barracks and bases for decades, to help in tackling security threats promptly.
This is due to the repeated occurrences of violent clashes and banditry that has been taking place in the area. Security situation in the region worsened after 2011 post-presidential elections violence which spiraled into attacks and reprisals that lingered to 2015.
In an effort to address this, El-Rufai sought Military authorities to establish three military bases in Sanga, Kauru and Kafnachan. It is expected that the presence of these military bases will make for quick response in tackling security threats. This request has been approved and the state government donated a piece of land and resources to build a base for the military in Zangon Kataf LGA, just few minutes’ drive away from Kafanchan. The military has approved for the other base to be built in Kachia and Sanga, which are expected to be established soon.
No doubt, the presence of members of the Nigerian Army in Kafanchan has helped in addressing security threats by criminals in the area.
Procurement and Vehicles and other Hardwares for Operation Yaki:
The state government procured 107 Hilux vans, fully equipped with modern communication gadgets for men of the Operation Yaki for effective policing of the entire state. Additionally, bullet proof vests and motorcycles were procured and distributed to the security agencies.
Creation of Kaduna Vigilance Service: On Monday 27th July 2018, Kaduna State Governor launched the Kaduna Vigilance Service to enhance community policing and assist the security forces in the state. Members of this voluntary security service played impeccable role I am quelling the recent violent clashes that erupted in Kasuwan Magani and Kaduna metropolis. The state Governor and the four metropolitan local governments of Kaduna South, Kaduna North, Igabi and Chikun pledged a 20million donation to support the men of the service.