… FAYEMI DONATES N50 MILLION TO SUPPORT KADUNA GOVT
The Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, has said that the bandits who attacked the Kaduna Abuja Train are hiding somewhere in Niger State.
El Rufai spoke while playing the host to the Chairman of the Nigerian Governor Forum, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State who led a two man delegation of the Forum to Kaduna State to commiserate with the Government and people of the state on the recent attack.
He did not mention the exact location where the bandits are hiding .
El Rufai disclosed that 61 Kaduna indigenes are still recuperating from the train attack, including a top government official and his 8-months pregnant wife.
El Rufai regretted that the attack was avoidable because the State Government had informed the Nigeria Railways of the impending crime.
In his remarks, Governor Fayemi, described the attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train as the handwork of the enemies of the Kaduna State.
Fayemi made a donation of N50m on behalf of the NGF and admonished Governor El Rufai not to relent in his efforts at building the State.
He said the attack was very devastating because of the huge number of victims and fatalities.
The NGF Chairman stated that the criminals were audacious enough to also take away some hostages which according to him, portrays the state of insecurity in the region to the level of uncertainties.
He explained the performance and magnificent transformation of the Governor was the reason the sabotours are trying to distract the state from its path to development.
Fayemi stressed that the whole episode was as a result of 2023, general election, “which we are not even sure we will be alive to see with the prevailing state of circumstances, and advised that more should be done towards securing the country.”
The terrorists’ attack claimed many lives with many injured and several others m kidnapped.
Fayemi, who described the attack as mind boggling commiserated with the Kaduna State Governor, expressed deep sympathy to Kaduna State and her people.
He disclosed that the Northwest part of the country had been a region of calm and peace before now, stating that the Governors will continue to put heads together along with the President to fashion out solutions to the security challenges.
The Governor agreed with the Kaduna state Governor on the use of brutal force as a solution to banditry.
He said that it had been his recommendation as a proactive action to go after the bandits right in their enclaves and rooting them out.
“I agree that we as Governors must join hands with the President to deal ruthlessly with the bandits, and that they must be crushed, as you have always advocated”, concluding that the primary purpose of government is ensuring the safety of lives and property but the impression in the minds of most Nigerians presently is that nothing is being done by the security agencies in the country to bring an end to this.
“We are here to commiserate with you, your Government and the people of Kaduna State, to show solidarity with them and align with the Governor who as a public servant all his life, and has been a focused leader from who we must learn from, to ensure peace in our communities.” He said
He urged El-Rufai to continue being the leader that he has always been, adding that regardless of whatever anyone thinks, “Nigeria is worth dying for.”
The Kaduna State deputy, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, responding said she has been in the forefront of finding solutions to the problem from the beginning.
She welcomed the delegation to Kaduna State and called the train attack a demoralising experience which she prayed that the state will never witnessed again.
She said the NGF and its members have been such good friends that the state put high value and premium on their support.
She pledged that the Kaduna State Government will continue to do its best in supporting the security forces in the state to accomplish the task of securing lives and property.
