John Shiklam in Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government, in collaboration with the military security outfit, Operation Save Heaven (OPSH), has concluded arrangements to resettle Southern Kaduna communities displaced by bandits to their ancestral homes.
Governor Uba Sani disclosed this yesterday while briefing journalists shortly after the state security council meeting in Kaduna.
Sani said the state government was ready to provide all logistics necessary to resettle the displaced communities to their ancestral homes.
He added that the government would assist the displaced victims to rebuild their destroyed homes where the need arises.
The governor said: “Fighting insecurity is the number one agenda of this administration because we believe, without resolving the security challenges, we might not be able to achieve all the development agenda of our government.
“We have invested a lot in the area of development, bu I believe addressing the problem of insecurity is key and as a government, we have to ensure that our people live in a secured environment”.
He vowed that the state government would continue to fight bandits, insurgents and other criminals elements terrorising Birnin Gwari and Southern Kaduna axis.
According to him, security reports had “shown that we are making progress, and we will continue to support them in terms of logistics and technology.”
Sani said the state government is working with Operation Safe Heaven under the command of the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, for the successful resettle of the displaced victims.
“We are working together with OPSH under the command of the GOC 3 Division, General Abdulsalam Abubakar the resettlement of displaced southern Kaduna communities.
“This is because the security and safety of our people is a fundamental human right of the people. It is not something that government needs to think twice before doing.
“It is our responsibility to make sure that everyone that was displaced as a result of insecurity is returned to homes safely and government will do that as its responsibility.
“Where they need to be supported in terms of rebuilding their community, we will do that. That is the responsibility of the government,” he said.
Earlier in his remarks, the GOC 3, Division of the Nigerian Army, said the first phase of the resettlement will start with 15 communities.
“What we did at the meeting was to review the security situation in Kaduna state, but for me, I am responsible for Southern Kaduna.
“So, what we are planning to do that right now is to resettle about 15 communities back to their ancestral homes. But, they will be needing some logistics which the government will be providing to enable them settle and start their normal lives once again,” the GOC said.
Also speaking, the GOC 1 Division, Maj. General Valentine Okoro, said the government and the security agencies were harmonising efforts with all stakeholders in the state to network security architecture that gaps observed during deliberations were 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,” he said.
