Kaduna State Governor, Nasiru El-Rufai, has said he is not an
ethnic jingoist or a religious bigot as alleged by many. He said the
reason the Southern Kaduna crisis had lingered on was because
perpetrators had been left unpunished for 35 years, assuring that those
behind the crisis will be punished under his government.
Addressing a six-member senate Adhoc Committee led by Senator Kabiru
Gaya, who were in the state to assess the situation on Tuesday, the
governor said those arrested will be punished.
According to El-Rufai, “I am the governor of Kaduna state, if you break the law you will be punished.
“The entire Kaduna city has been divided and there is need to regain the confidence and come together.
“I am not an ethnic jingoist or a religious bigot so those who
alleged that I am sponsoring Southern Kaduna crisis are just
mischievous, no governor wants crisis in his state,” El.Rufai said.
Speaking on their mission in the state, Gaya accused politicians of using the crisis for political gain.
The lawmaker disclosed that the committee was set up to investigate the causes of the frequent attacks.
“Part of the mission of the Adhoc committee are to interact , discuss
with government , stakeholders, community leaders, security agencies
and other relevant bodies that will contribute to bringing lasting
peace,” he said.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Kafanchan, had in December disclosed that no fewer than 800 people lost their lives in a crisis that broke out in southern Kaduna.
In a bid to stop the crisis in the area, the Kaduna State Governor,
Nasir El-Rufai had in December 2016 disclosed that his administration
traced some violent and aggrieved Fulani herdsmen to their countries and
paid them to stop the killings but the killings still persist.