Kaduna government and security operatives are on the trail of those who destroyed the foundation structure of the proposed Nigerian Army Battalion in Southern Kaduna, after the foundation laying ceremony by Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Yusuf Burutai to establish a military formation in the troubled area, last weekend, at Ungwan Yashi, Zango Kataf Local Government.
While government and the military have decided to expedite action in ensuring the takeoff of the construction of the barracks and army formations, some persons moved into the area and destroyed the foundation.
Irked by this development, Governor El-Rufai issued a strongly worded statement yesterday, condemning those behind the destruction, saying those behind the act would be fished out and dealt with according to the law of the land.
In the statement issued by the Media
aide to the governor, Samuel Aruwan, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, yesterday, frowned
at the destruction of the foundation laying structure of the proposed Nigerian
Army Battalion in Southern Kaduna.
The statement said El-Rufai, who
received the news with shock, described the situation as unfortunate, as it further
confirms that the conflict entrepreneurs “are determined to continue to create
obstacles and setback to our stabilisation and peace building efforts.”
He said: “It is unbelievable that
some people would destroy the very structure we erected to establish the
long-awaited Army Barracks to assist promotion of peace and end the decades of
senseless bloodletting in the southern part of Kaduna State. But we will not be
deterred. We urge our people that cherish peaceful coexistence to continue
to be resilient, focused and resolute in overcoming the antics of forces of
darkness and evil. Those that did this are determined to derail the
contributions of the security agencies, having failed to spread their tentacles
of hate, bigotry and penchant for divisiveness.
“I want to use this medium to appeal
to all men and women of conscience to remain firm and optimistic, while
government in collaboration with security agencies, civil society, religious
and traditional institutions will continue to work assiduously for peace and
security of life and property.”
Meanwhile, El-Rufai has vowed to
ensure that the Southern Kaduna crisis that erupted under his administration,
will be the last ever experienced out of the 11 crises in the state, just as
the Army has commenced deployment of soldiers to strategic locations in the
troubled area after the foundation laying ceremony of military formations.
Last week, the Chief of Army Staff,
Lt. General Yusuf Burutai, led top army officers for the foundation laying of
the formations, barracks and the temporary buildings made available for the
soldiers in Kafanchan to enforce security in Southern Kaduna.
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