Rising insecurity in Nigeria disquiets governors, says Ganduje

By Ajuma Edwina Ameh

Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, has disclosed that governors were worried over the rising insecurity in the country, describing the situation as unfortunate.

The governor expressed worry that criminals and bandits have started attacking governors.

Persecondnews recalls that Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom was reportedly ambushed by gunmen suspected to be Fulani bandits along Tyo-MU Makurdi/Gboko road on Saturday.

According to Governor Ortom, he escaped by the whiskers, after herdsmen numbering about 15 trailed him to his farm.

Speaking to State House Correspondents after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa on Monday, Ganduje wondered:” lf criminals could lay siege on governors, what would be the fate of ordinary citizens who do not enjoy the sort of security protection of governors.”

Ganduje, however, expressed the hope that with the recent appointment of new service chiefs, situation would get better soon.

He said: “I think it’s unfortunate, but I believe with appointment of new service chiefs, new strategy will be developed and I think Mr. President has always been serious on this issue, but is rather unfortunate.

“Not only governors being attacked, anybody who is attacked in Nigeria, one should be worried because life is life.

“Certainly we’re worried because a governor is supposed to have some security with him, let alone of an ordinary man who has no security.

” So you can see how serious the situation is. It’s unfortunate, but we believe will come over it.”

Ganduje said the purpose of his visit to the State House is to present proposal for a world-class three-level road interchange to be named after Buhari, in appreciation of his commitment to Kano infrastructural development.

According to him, the interchange, consisting a flyover, bridge and underpass within Metropolitan Kano, became necessary because of the fast growing population of the city.

He added Kano had become the safest place in the North as a result of various investments of his administration into security.

“All what I know as of today Kano is the most peaceful state in the federation and this is not by chance, there must be some security measures that we have taken, like full cooperation among the security agencies in Kano State.

” We introduced the command and control centre; the CCTV where we are viewing the whole Metropolitan Kano, we have the most powerful tracker vehicle, equipment in Kano.

“Falgore Forest where bandits usually inhabit; we said no, not in Kano State. We established a military training ground in Falgore Forest and therefore bandits cannot inhabit.

“Our border with Kaduna, we have a forest and where we are establishing ruga programme, we discussed with nomadic Fulani, they agreed to be settled there. In fact, other Fulani are even coming,” he said.