THE NEWLY-SWORN in Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani, has promised to work with other governors in Nigeria to make state police a reality.
Sani stated this on Monday, May 29, in his inaugural address.
He said insecurity was a local problem that required local solutions.
READ ALSO:
Key issues on insecurity in Buhari’s eight years of administration
Insecurity: Over 40 schools remain closed in Benue communities
Insecurity: Benue records 18,000 IDPs in April
FG frustrating effort to fight insecurity — Benue govt
“The prevailing security situation in the country demands a significant shift in the current structure. In this regard, I will work with my colleague governors and members of the National and State Assemblies to make state police a reality.
“I was at the forefront of advocacy for state police in the 9th Senate. I strongly believe that state police is the panacea for our perennial security challenges. Security is basically a local affair, and it demands a local approach,” he said.
The ICIR reports that coincidentally, the new President Bola Tinubu, who also assumed office on Monday, May 29, in Abuja, had severally canvassed for state police to combat insecurity challenges in the country.
Sani promised to prioritise the Kaduna people and ensure equal opportunity for all.
He promised to build on his predecessor’s successes and take every sector in the state to greater heights.
He said his administration would improve infrastructure and agriculture for urban and rural development.
He pledged to boost education and health services by enrolling more children in school and investing more in primary care services.
His government would also capture more of the state’s people in health insurance scheme and increase workers’ welfare.
He, however, hinted that he would take tough decisions for the common good of the state.
The governor said he came into government prepared and would deploy competent team members into different areas of governance.
Speaking further on insecurity, the governor said, “Kaduna State has had its fair share of bloodletting and unnecessary destructions. To this end, this administration will invest heavily in all legally permissible efforts, including deploying technology for security and law enforcement. Similarly, we shall be assisting the activities of the police, the military, para-military and other security agencies in the state.
“We shall also engage traditional, religious institutions and community leaders to ensure effective intelligence gathering as well as working towards peaceful and harmonious coexistence within the various communities.”
The ICIR reports that Kaduna State was like a killing field during the era of Uba’s predecessor, Nasir el-Rufai.
Kidnappers, abductors and insurgents took over many parts of the state and unleashed mayhems on innocent people, including women and children.
In 2021, The ICIR reported how deaths from insecurity causes were higher in Kaduna State than all people in died from the insurgency in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States.
In 2022, The ICIR reported how parents withdrew their children and ward from school in the state because of insecurity.
In 2023, this organisation reported how non-state actors killed thousands in Kaduna State.
Marcus bears the light, and he beams it everywhere. He's a good governance and decent society advocate. He's The ICIR Reporter of the Year 2022 and has been the organisation's News Editor since September 2023. Contact him via email @ mfatunmole@icirnigeria.org