Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, on Monday evening condoled the residents of Runtuwan Wakili Ladan, Runtuwan Wakili Sajo and Maikaho communities in Ngaski Local Government of the state over the killing of six persons by the ‘Yan sakai, a local security outfit in the area.
Bagudu spoke when he led a high-powered state government delegation to condole with the entire residents of the villages and environs, over the incident that had caused apprehension among the people of the area.
Bagudu, who was disturbed by the incident, said violence does no one any good, but breeds retrogression, hatred and underdevelopment.
“These wanton killings are condemnable, just as they are reprehensible. The perpetrators will not be allowed to go scot-free.
“The state government will not just watch and allow some criminal elements to continue to hold the innocent law abiding citizens of any part of the state to ransom.
“We will go all out together with all the security agencies and other critical stakeholders to ensure that tranquility is restored.
“We will all take all the necessary steps to ensure that life returns to normal, with all the residents restarting their routine socioeconomic activities,” Bagudu was quoted as saying in a statement by his media aide Yahaya Sarki.
Bagudu further said,” I will continue to abide by my oaths of office and protect all lives, as well as ensuring that all law abiding residents harbour no fear.
“We must also continue to ensure the protection of the fundamental human rights of all citizens, just as I must admonish all and sundry to however remain law abiding.”
Bagudu also noted that as pious and faithful Muslims, all must put their fate to the Almighty Allah, but, “what really happened is saddening and must be vehemently rejected and condemned.”
He recalled that the residents of the areas had hitherto lived as one united family, irrespective of religious or ethnic differences and advised that such a happy scenario must be urgently resuscitated and encouraged.
The Kebbi State governor added: “None can succeed in an atmosphere of rancour and violence and no meaningful development can be achieved without sustenable peace and unity.
“All law abiding citizens must continue to be law abiding and be our brothers’ keepers. We must therefore collectively fish out the bad eggs and deal with them accordingly .
“We will continue to be just and fair to all and work towards complementing the commedable efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari to better the lives of all Nigerians.
“Kebbi state government will leave no stone unturned in consolidating the success recorded in rice production and replicate them in other areas of agriculture.
“This is in order to value the various agricultural endeavors like cattle rearing, fisheries and stem the tide of the itinerant lifestyles of the Fulani herdsmen, coupled with redressing its unpalatable attendant consequences.”
Meanwhile, Bagudu has prayed to the Almighty Allah to grant the deceased Aljannat Firdaus and give the bereaved families the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses.
Bagudu also beseeched the Almighty Allah to prevent the recurrence of the dastardly incidents in the area and other parts of the state.
The governor, who interacted freely with residents Runtuwan Wakili Ladan, gave an order for the construction of a Primary School in the area as well as the sinking of a borehole for the provision of water for human and animal consumption after they complained to him that the two facilities were lacking in the area.
Similarly, the governor informed the people of Maikaho that the road linking the community with Yauri has been listed among the roads to be constructed by the government this year.
Bagudu further gave assurance that the administration would look into their request for the construction of an Islamiyya school and the rehabilitation of the Primary Healthcare center in Maikaho.
The governor commended security agencies for their prompt response in bringing the situation under control and securing the area.
Earlier, the National President of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breaders Association, MACBAN , Alhaji Muhammadu Kiruwa, who accompanied the governor to the area, also described the incident as sad and unfortunate.
He charged his fellow Fulani not to engage in reprisal attacks, but allow the law enforcement agencies to deal with the situation appropriately.
He maintained that MACBAN was not in support of any Fulani launching a reprisal attack against the perpetrators.
Kiruwa said that the condolence visit of the governor had greatly consoled the families of the deceased and made a positive impact on the sustainability of peace and security in the area.
‘”Bloodshed will not take us anywhere, but backwards, it is a setback to our livelihood and economy, so leave what happened to God.
”Our Governor is a father to all and he will ensure justice to all, irrespective of the tribe you come from,” he admonished.
The Village Head, Isyaku Amadu and the Imam of the village Liman Muhammadu, expressed appreciation for the condolence visit by the governor and his entourage.
An elder, Wakil Sajo and the Youth leader, Dan Bello, equally thanked the Governor for the visit and assured him of their belief in his ability to bring the culprits to justice.
In the same vein, both the Chairmen of Miyatti Allah Cattle Breaders Association of Ngaski and Yauri, Muhammadu Maguri and Alhaji Bafashi, respectively, assured the Governor that their people would not take the law into their hands, by engaging in any reprisal attack.
The duo said that the visit of the governor with the SSG and other top government officials from the state and local government areas of the emirate had really consoled them.
The Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breaders Association, MACBAN of Yauri local government area, Alhaji Bafashi Yauri, who is also a staunch member of PDP in the area, declared to the governor that he has dumped the party and joined the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC.
“‘Because of your concern to our people over our misery, over the calamity that befell us, I decided to change my party from PDP to APC.
“‘Your condolence visit has really touched our hearts and is instrumental to my decision today, to dump PDP and join APC,” he said.
The Chairman of Ngaski local government area Abdullahi Buhari Wara in the end appreciated the visit of the governor and also promised to do everything within the confine of the law to ensure the sustenance of peace and security in the local government.
Some of the personalities who accompanied the governor were the SSG, Babale Umar Yauri, Special Adviser on Security, rtd Major Garba Rabiu Kamba, Abdullahi Buhari Warra, Chairman of Ngaski, Bala Muhammad Gagga, Chairman of Yauri, Hon. Aminu Arzika Tungar Mom’s, Chairman of Shanga local government area and Alhaji Muhammadu Kiruwa, National President of Miyatti Allah Cattle Breaders Association, MACBAN among others.
